Jharkhand Students Push Towards Assembly as Police Use Lathis and Water Cannons

Tensions escalated in Ranchi on Monday as police used lathi-charge and water cannons to stop student protesters who were marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The protesters continued advancing despite tight security arrangements around the Assembly, where the Monsoon Session is currently underway.

Police deployed water cannons after demonstrators broke through several barricades and moved closer to the Assembly complex. Even as powerful jets of water were directed at them, some protesters were seen dancing and continuing their demonstration, in scenes reminiscent of recent protests over examination paper leaks in Bihar.

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The students are demanding reforms in the recruitment examination system, greater transparency and action over alleged irregularities. The agitation has been led by job aspirants who have been pressing the government to address their concerns over the recruitment process.

Inside the Assembly premises, protesters carried JLKM Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato on their shoulders as they staged a sit-in demonstration.

The march gathered pace after protesters pushed past barricades placed by security personnel and continued towards the Vidhan Sabha. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike, also joined the demonstration while being carried on a stretcher.

Amid the escalation, the state government reiterated that it was prepared to allow a judicially monitored investigation into the allegations.

However, the government maintained that it could not unilaterally decide to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination, saying the matter was linked to ongoing judicial proceedings and other legal considerations.

Jharkhand Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government would allow JPSC-JSSC aspirants to hold peaceful protests. She also assured that pellet guns, tear gas and lathi-charge would not be used against the demonstrators.

The minister said the administration was taking all necessary steps to maintain law and order during the planned Vidhan Sabha gherao.

Referring to the negotiations with student representatives, Singh said talks had continued for several hours over the previous four days and that the government had agreed to almost all demands that fell within its jurisdiction.

Despite the government's assurances, students continued their march towards the Assembly, keeping the recruitment examination controversy at the centre of their ongoing agitation.