The agitation by students over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams escalated, with the police using water cannons and lathi-charging
protesters to prevent a march to the assembly on Monday. The agitators alleged that several students, including women, were injured in the police action, while Ranchi SSP said 14 officers suffered injuries in stone pelting. The students have been agitating in the state since July 25, demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, particularly the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination). Clashes between the protesters and police personnel took place in state capital Ranchi during the day, after thousands of job aspirants breached multiple barricades while marching towards the assembly, where the monsoon session was underway. In Ranchi, the police used water cannons near Jagannathpur Temple and fired several rounds of tear gas, as the protesters came within around 200 metres of the assembly. A fresh lathi-charge followed after they crossed the final barricade and reached Gate No 1, where the agitators staged a sit-in. Meanwhile, the health condition of JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for nine days over the issue, also deteriorated during Monday's march. He was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his blood sugar level dropped “drastically”, with doctors describing his condition as critical.
Police to Analyse CCTV Footage To Identify Miscreants
The police said that CCTV footage will be analysed to identify miscreants who disrupted "peaceful" students’ protests. "Police will analyse CCTV footage to identify anti-social elements who disrupted the peaceful students' protest," Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan told reporters.
ED Launches Probe, Former JPSC Chairman Arrested
The Enforcement Directorate launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment tests, particularly the JSSC-CGL examination, while the Jharkhand CID arrested Khiangte in connection with the “anomalies”.
The 1988-batch IAS officer, who had earlier served as Jharkhand chief secretary, was appointed JPSC chairperson in February last year and resigned on July 22.
BJP Announces Statewide Bandh
The BJP, which gheraoed Soren’s house before start of the march to the assembly, has called for a state-wide bandh on Tuesday to protest against the “use of force” against the students. They have announced a bandh from 8 am to midnight. BJP state president Aditya Sahu alleged that hundreds of protesters were injured and accused the government of treating students like criminals.
(With inputs from PTI)
