The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called a statewide Jharkhand bandh on Tuesday in protest against police action during a student assembly march in Ranchi on Monday over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. BJP workers staged demonstrations in Ranchi and several other districts, while the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) announced an assembly march in support of the student movement.
The BJP called the bandh in protest against the alleged lathi-charge and use of force by police during Monday’s assembly gherao by students in Ranchi. BJP workers were seen on roads in several districts from the morning.
At Harmu Chowk in Ranchi, workers burned tyres and raised slogans against the state government. Road blockades were also reported near the CMPDI gate on Kanke Road. BJP supporters sat on the road near Dhurwa Gol Chakkar, affecting traffic for some time. Police personnel attempted to clear the roads and restore traffic.
Protests were also reported at Birsa Chowk in Pakur. In Latehar, protesters accused the state government of alleged injustice against students and demanded accountability from Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
In Ranchi’s Harmu Road and other areas, protesters burned tyres and raised slogans against the government. Some BJP supporters were also seen climbing onto a JCB machine while raising slogans against the government.
Demonstrations in support of the bandh were also reported from Chaibasa, Pakur, Latehar and other districts.
In Chaibasa, bandh supporters took to the streets and markets were affected. According to reports, some BJP workers appealed to shopkeepers to close their shops, while allegations also emerged that shops were forcibly closed at some places. Police forces were deployed at several locations to prevent any untoward incident.
The BJP bandh followed a student demonstration in Ranchi on Monday over alleged issues involving JPSC and JSSC. A large number of students had gathered for an assembly gherao.
Protesters crossed several layers of police barricading and attempted to move towards the entrance of the Assembly premises. Police had installed barricades to stop them, but protesters managed to cross them at several points.
Police used water cannons to control the situation. A large number of students continued their protest during the water spray. Police later fired tear gas shells.
According to police, stones, footwear and water bottles were thrown from the protesters’ side, following which force was used.
According to the available information, clashes between police and protesters occurred several times on Monday. There were reports of lathi-charge being carried out two to three times to remove protesters.
Protesters alleged that police used excessive force, while police and the administration described the action as a step taken to maintain law and order.
Reports said a large number of students were injured during the incident. Representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum said around 80 students were injured. The Nyay Manch also claimed that more than 20 students were injured.
Information about injuries and fractures to the hands and legs of several students also emerged. Several injured students were reportedly taken to Sadar Hospital.
Around 14 Ranchi police personnel were also reportedly injured during the demonstration.
Police personnel Anjani Yadav was reported to have sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the ICU. Other police personnel were reportedly discharged from the hospital after receiving primary treatment.
Devendra Nath Mahto, one of the prominent faces of the student movement, was also reported to have fallen ill during the protest. He had allegedly been on a hunger strike for several days.
After his health deteriorated, the administration admitted him to Sadar Hospital. Despite this, he participated in the assembly gherao during the protest.
According to protesting students, several student leaders have been on hunger strike for a long time and are seeking to pressure the government over their demands related to JPSC and JSSC.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also reacted to the police action during the assembly gherao.
In a social media post, he said that the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand was wrong. He supported the students’ right to peaceful protest and appealed to the state government to hear their demands and seek a solution through dialogue.
Meanwhile, former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L. Khyangte was reportedly arrested in connection with developments related to the recruitment examination controversy.
According to reports, the CID arrested him. He had resigned from his post after a raid at the JPSC office on July 21. The investigating agency subsequently questioned him.
The development came amid the student movement, with protesters continuing to raise questions over examinations and recruitment processes associated with JPSC and JSSC.
Following Monday’s police action, student organisations began discussing their next strategy on Tuesday. A meeting of students was reportedly held at Jaipal Singh Stadium in Ranchi.
The ABVP also announced an assembly march in support of the student movement. Multi-layered security arrangements had already been made around the Assembly premises, with police barricading, CCTV surveillance and additional personnel deployed.
Student organisations have been demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC-JSSC recruitment process and a resolution to objections raised over the examinations.
The BJP has opposed the police action during Monday’s assembly gherao, while the student organisations have continued to raise demands concerning alleged irregularities, review of the examination process and accountability.
