Police Step Up Action Over CM Effigy Burning; Cases Filed Against 14 in Ranchi, 700 in Hazaribagh

Police action has intensified in Jharkhand following the burning of an effigy of Chief Minister Hemant Soren by students protesting for reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

In Ranchi, police have registered three separate cases against members of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum, naming 14 people as accused and including several unidentified persons in the FIRs. The cases were registered at Kotwali police station in connection with Friday's protest.

According to police, students under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum had gathered near Albert Ekka Chowk to burn an effigy of the Chief Minister. Tension reportedly escalated when police personnel deployed at the spot tried to prevent the protesters from carrying out the programme, leading to a heated exchange and alleged pushing and shoving between the two sides.

Police have booked the accused on allegations including obstructing government work and engaging in a confrontation with police personnel.

Among those named in the Ranchi cases are Kunal Pratap, Piyush, Ravindra Paswan and Chandi Tiwari. Ankita Verma, Shahbaz and a magistrate deployed on duty have been listed as complainants in the cases.

Meanwhile, police in Hazaribagh have registered an FIR against around 700 people in connection with a confrontation between students and the administration at Gandhi Maidan under Korra police station on Friday.

Authorities have begun the process of identifying around 200 people who were allegedly present at the site during the incident. Police are examining video footage and other available evidence to determine the role of individuals who may have been involved in the disturbance.

The statement of the magistrate deployed at the spot has been used as the basis for the FIR. Police are now investigating the role of those named or identified and examining who actively participated in the incident and whose actions may have contributed to the escalation of tensions.

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Student groups protest police action

The police crackdown has triggered anger among student organisations. Members of the Reform Forum claimed that they were protesting peacefully over examination and employment-related issues and accused the police of using force to suppress their demands.

Student leaders said they would not be intimidated by FIRs or police action and warned that their agitation over employment opportunities and reforms in JPSC and JSSC could intensify in the coming days.

The latest developments have added to the growing tension surrounding the JPSC-JSSC reform movement. While police have maintained that action is being taken to investigate alleged violations of law and order, protesting students maintain that the cases are an attempt to suppress their movement.

The investigation in both Ranchi and Hazaribagh is underway, with police relying on video evidence and statements from officials to establish individual responsibility for the incidents.