Netarhat Field Firing Range to be closed soon:Defence Minister

In deference to a long-pending demand of local tribals, the Government will soon close down the Field Firing Range at Netarhat in Jharkhand.

The assurance was given today by Defence Minister A K Antony to Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary, when he led a four-member delegation from Jharkhand to raise the demand.

"The Defence Minister has given an assurance that the Field Firing Range will be closed down soon,"a Bihar government press release said.

Demand for its closure has been made by the people of the tribal-dominated area as tribes like Asur and Birhore as also wildlife were leaving the area in search of safer habitations.

The delegation also demanded that the area be declared a reserved forest.link