Sukhram Munda, the village head of Kochang, which was a focal point in the Pathalgarhi movement for tribal autonomy, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on 6 July 2019.

Sukhram, who played a key role in the Pathalgarhi movement, was targeted during the bi-weekly haat (village market) in Kochang. He was wrapping up for the day, shutting the eatery he runs with his wife, when someone called out from behind. As soon as Sukhram turned, the assailant fired from close range. “The shooter then rode pillion on a bike and fled towards the neighbouring village of Sakey,” an eyewitness said. Police are investigating the murder but have yet to identify the assailants.

Sukhram held two positions of importance at Kochang — that of the gram pradhan (traditional village chief) and mukhiyapati (husband of the elected village head, a powerful position which is common across Bihar and Jharkhand). His family had given away land on which the village’s only school was built. Even the local post office operates out of his home.

Source: The Times of India