The ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand turned tense on Monday as police used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge when protesters pushed through security barricades while marching towards the state Assembly in Ranchi.
The protesters, who have been demanding reforms in recruitment examinations and action over alleged irregularities, continued their march despite heavy security deployment around the Assembly. The Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly is currently in progress.
Police brought in water cannons after demonstrators broke through several barricades and moved towards the Vidhan Sabha. The forceful jets of water failed to deter some protesters, with several seen dancing and continuing to raise slogans. The scenes were reminiscent of protests witnessed in Bihar over alleged examination paper leaks.
The student agitation has been driven by recruitment aspirants seeking greater transparency and accountability in the examination process. As the protesters reached the Assembly complex, the demonstration intensified.
During the protest, JLKM Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato was lifted onto the shoulders of demonstrators as students staged a sit-in inside the Assembly premises.
The march gathered momentum after protesters pushed past barricades erected by security personnel and continued towards the Vidhan Sabha. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike, also joined the demonstration. He was brought to the protest site on a stretcher.
The state government, meanwhile, reiterated its position that it was willing to facilitate a judicially monitored probe into the allegations raised by the students.
However, the government maintained that cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination could not be decided by the state administration alone, as the issue is connected with judicial proceedings and other legal considerations.
Jharkhand Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government would allow JPSC-JSSC aspirants to hold their protest peacefully. She also said the administration would not use pellet guns, tear gas or lathi-charge against the protesters.
Singh said adequate arrangements had been made to maintain law and order during the planned Vidhan Sabha gherao.
On the negotiations with student representatives, the minister said talks had continued for several hours over the past four days. According to her, the government had accepted almost all the demands that came within its jurisdiction.
Despite the government’s assurances and the ongoing talks, the protesters remained determined to continue their agitation, with the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and greater accountability in recruitment exams remaining among their key concerns.
With inputs from IANS