RANCHI, June 5 -- The long-disputed RIMS-2 hospital project saw a critical progress on Thursday as the district administration initiated a bhumipujan (groundbreaking ceremony) and commenced boundary wall construction under an unprecedented security blanket.

The programme remained peaceful as the district administration had deployed a large number of police personnel to ensure that no untoward incident took place. However, localised non-violent protests erupted as indigenous tribal farmers marched from Nagri toward the Ranchi Collectorate to meet the deputy commissioner.

A local resident Vikash Toppo said,"Local residents strongly oppose the acquisition of fertile, multi-crop agricultural land, maintaining that the Rs.4,200 crore mega-ho...