National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Father Stan Swamy from Namkum, Ranchi and took him to Mumbai. Post the arrest, Chief Minister Hemant Soren attacked the BJP government at the Centre. Hemant Soren raised questions on the message being sent by the BJP government at the Centre by arresting 83-year-old Stan Swamy, who he said is the voice of the poor, deprived and tribals. He said that Centre’s is targeting everyone who opposes them. Jharkhand State Finance Minister Dr. Rameshwar Oraon also questioned the detention of Father Stan Swamy in Bhima Koregaon case of Maharashtra in the name of Urban Naxalism. He said that the central government is harassing intellectuals from different parts of the country in the name of Urban Naxalism and that Father Stan Swamy has been living in Ranchi for 25 years and is engaged in uplifting of tribal community.
Eight persons were charge-sheeted in Bhima Koregaon violence case in Maharashtra for including the oldest of the accused 83 year old Stan Swamy. The NIA described Father Stan Swamy as director of Urban Naxalites and that he had taken funds from Maoists. Naxalite literature was also found in documents recovered from his residence. Father Stan Swamy has been sent to judicial custody till October 23. He is the 16th person arrested in the case. On 31 December 2017, several organizations jointly organized a rally in Bhima Koregaon under the banner of Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan which was named as ‘Elgar Parishad’. Another group in the rally got angry after a provocative speech, which was followed by violent clashes. One person was killed in the resultant clashes, while hundreds of people were injured.
