Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto on Saturday alleged that police beat him at a Ranchi hospital when he tried to leave the facility to join a Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Independence Day.
Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 14 days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), claimed he suffered a chest injury during the confrontation, according to an India Today report.
The Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium is currently the main protest site, where thousands of students have gathered over their demands for transparency in recruitment examinations.
Mahto has
been on hunger strike since August 2. He was admitted to Sadar Hospital after a Ranchi Vidhan Sabha Gherao march turned chaotic, with police using lathicharges, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.
Mahto Alleges Police Assault
Mahto said he wanted to participate peacefully in the flag-hoisting ceremony and Tiranga Yatra organised at the protest site. He questioned why he was being stopped from joining the Independence Day programme.
“After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” Mahto said.
In another post on X, Mahto said a heavy police deployment was placed outside his hospital room after he expressed his intention to join the march. He questioned whether citizens were free to participate in a Tricolour march in their own country.
A video of the incident showed a security official blocking Mahto as he attempted to leave the hospital. Several JLKM workers were seen asking the official to allow Mahto to participate in the march, while the official appeared to ask them to let the fasting activist rest.
Mahto also appealed to protesters from his hospital bed to remain united, alleging that external elements were attempting to divert and fracture the student movement.
Hemant Soren Assures Transparency
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government was working to ensure transparency in recruitment examinations, particularly those conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.
“For me, the youth of the state are very important to me and their faith in us. We have decided to bring changes in the system. Transparent examination will be ensured,” Soren said while addressing the state’s Independence Day celebration.
He said the government had launched “Chhatron Ki Baat – Chhatron Ke Sath” to seek students’ suggestions on improving the education system.
Student leader Ravinder Paswan said earlier that protesters would mark Independence Day by speaking about the country’s freedom and would not raise their demands before the government on Saturday.
