Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense as Police Use Lathis and Water Cannons in Ranchi

Ranchi: A student protest in Ranchi turned tense on Monday after police used lathis and water cannons to stop demonstrators who crossed barricades while attempting to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly.

The police action came even as Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed for the students’ concerns to be resolved through dialogue rather than force.

Thousands of students from different parts of Jharkhand reached Ranchi by train, bus and other means to join the demonstration. The protesters say their careers have been badly affected by alleged paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The students are demanding major changes to the state’s recruitment examination system, cancellation of certain examinations and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged irregularities.

Protesters cross barricades

The administration had deployed a large police force across Ranchi and installed barricades at key junctions and sensitive locations ahead of the planned Assembly march.

When some protesters crossed the barricades, police used water cannons to disperse them and also resorted to lathi charges.

Despite the water cannons, some students remained defiant. Videos from the protest showed students dancing in front of the water being sprayed by the police, in scenes reminiscent of student demonstrations witnessed during the NEET agitation in Patna.

Student leader Devendra Mahto, who is currently on hunger strike, appealed to protesters to remain calm and maintain discipline if they were stopped by the police.

He also urged students to explore alternative ways of reaching the Assembly without losing control of the situation.

Students demand CBI investigation

The Assembly march followed several rounds of discussions between the protesting students and a committee established by the state government.

The agitation has continued for 16 days despite these talks.

The sixth round of discussions, held on Wednesday, also failed to resolve the dispute. Students continued to insist on a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.

The state government has claimed that it has accepted around 98% of the students’ demands and has asked them to call off the protest.

The students, however, dispute the government’s assessment.

According to JPSC JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan, the government has agreed to cancel only three of the 13 examinations that protesters want scrapped.

The students have also maintained their demand for a CBI investigation.

Six students are continuing their hunger strike as part of the agitation.

Security tightened across Ranchi

Security arrangements were strengthened throughout the city as protesters arrived from different districts.

Police personnel were deployed at major roads, highways and important crossings. Authorities also checked buses and private vehicles at district borders and other entry points in an effort to manage the movement of protesters.

Several schools in Ranchi remained closed on Monday amid the heightened security situation.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders staged a separate protest outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence.

Changes at JPSC

The student agitation comes amid further developments within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission.

Three JPSC members resigned on Wednesday after being summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department in connection with alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations.

JPSC chairperson L Khiangte had resigned earlier on July 22.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren had previously assured protesting students that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for irregularities in recruitment examinations.

With talks yet to produce a settlement, the students have continued their agitation, keeping pressure on the state government to address their demands.