Ranchi Student Protest: Police Lathi Charge JPSC JSSC Candidates Near Assembly

In a significant escalation of tensions in Ranchi, Jharkhand, police resorted to a lathi-charge and the use of tear gas shells to disperse thousands of students protesting against alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations. The incident occurred as the students attempted to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, breaking through multiple layers of security and barricades to reach the main gate of the legislative building. The protesters, who have been agitating for 17 days, were seen raising slogans against the state government before the situation turned violent.

Clashes and Use of Force at the Assembly Gate

The protest march began around 10 am when students gathered near the Old Assembly area and proceeded towards the current Assembly building. Despite the police setting up barbed wire barricades and a 6-layer security arrangement, the determined crowd managed to push through. When the police deployed water cannons to stop the advancement, some students were seen dancing on top of the barricades, while others sang the national anthem in a show of defiance. However, as the crowd refused to retreat from the Assembly gate, the police initiated a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to clear the area. During the ensuing chaos, protesters reportedly threw water bottles and slippers at the security forces, while several students sustained head injuries during the multiple rounds of lathi-charge conducted by the police to maintain order.

Political Reaction and Student Leader Hospitalized

The use of force against the students has drawn sharp criticism from political circles. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP, expressed his concern on the social media platform X. He stated, "The use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have the right to peaceful protest, and a solution can only be found through dialogue. " Meanwhile, the health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been a prominent face of the movement, deteriorated at the protest site. He was subsequently admitted to the Sadar Hospital by the police administration for medical treatment.

Background of the Protest and CID Action

The students have been protesting for 17 days, demanding the cancellation of the Jharkhand PSC and SSC examinations due to alleged discrepancies. Currently, 6 students, including Devendra Nath Mahto, are on a hunger strike. Mahto even participated in the Assembly march while being transported in an ambulance. In a related development, the CID has arrested L. Khiangte, the former Chairman of the JPSC. This arrest follows his resignation after a CID raid at the JPSC office on July 21. The CID had been continuously questioning him regarding the examination process. The entire protest area remains under heavy surveillance with CCTV cameras monitoring the movements of the crowd.

Testimony from the Protesters

The students have voiced their grievances regarding the police action, while one protester recounted the experience, saying, "When the stampede occurred, we were right in the middle of the police. Despite this, in their haste to clear the area, the police pushed me so hard that I injured my leg. If I face any issues with my leg in the future, will the Jharkhand government or the police take responsibility, while " The police conducted a second round of lathi-charge later in the day to ensure that all JPSC-JSSC candidates were removed from the vicinity of the State Assembly.