Thursday, January 5 2006 18:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kalinga Nagar (Orissa): Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president Shibu Soren today (Jan 05, 2006) threatened to launch a nationwide agitation in protest against Monday's police firing here in which 12 tribals were killed and said he would raise the issue in the Parliament.

Soren, who drove to this trouble-torn industrial hub, interacted with the tribals squatting near the huge pyre on which the 12 bodies had been cremated yesterday and consoled them.

Condemning the incident, he said it was comparable to the Jalianwalabag massacre.

The former Union minister said the JMM would take up this issue and might call for a bandh in Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand on Saturday coinciding with the state wide protest day to be observed in Orissa to protest the firing.

"I will raise this issue in Parliament", he said adding he would demand for proper rehabilitation of all who are required to be shifted to accommodate new industries.

No industry should be set up until the displaced person was properly rehabilitated and compensated for his loss, Soren said.

AICC secretary Chandan Bagchi and Congress leader of opposition in Chhatisgarh assembly Mahendra Karma also visited the site of the firing and talked to the tribals.