Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand Police Lathi-Charge On Protesting Students During ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ March

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand Police on Monday resorted to a lathi charge to control the crowd during the 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examinations.

Police had also used water cannons against the protesters in Ranchi. Vikram Kumar, a student protester injured in a lathi charge, said, "Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not even hurl any abuses. Suddenly, the police launched a lathi charge. This is not good."

A large number of student protesters gathered near the Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi during the march led by JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha against the alleged irregularities in the examinations and recruitment process. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto also joined the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march and said that the state government "will have to listen to the students' demands."

Carrying former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren's portrait, student leader Mahto said, “Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us. I came here in an ambulance. The government will have to listen to us.” Mahto has been on a hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site, for the past nine days.

JLKM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato said that the protest is fundamentally driven by students seeking accountability. He added that the agitation will come to a rest once the demands are fulfilled.

"Fundamentally, they are students. As for the opposition parties, indirect support will always be there; that happens with every government. But fundamentally, they are students; it's their agitation, and once their demands are met, they won't agitate anymore," he said.

He added, “I am going there (to the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march), I will come back and tell you what the matter is.” The protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants have maintained that their key demands, including cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, and reforms to the recruitment process, have not been fully accepted by the state government.

Amid the demand for a CBI probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the JPSC.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand Police on Monday used water cannons against student protesters attempting to break through the barricading during the Vidhan Sabha Gherao march against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examinations.

A large number of student protesters gathered near the Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi during the march led by JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha against the alleged irregularities in the examinations and recruitment process.

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto also joined the JPSC-JSCC Reform Morcha's 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march against the alleged exam irregularities and said that the state government "will have to listen to the students' demands."

Carrying former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren's portrait, student leader Mahto said, "Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us. I came here in an ambulance. The government will have to listen to us."

Asking the public not to make him a hero, he added, “I am no God or messiah; I am a common man. There will be no change in my personal life. But the barbed wires hurt more than the hunger strike. Students crossed three layers of barricading. Why does the government want anarchy and not agree to students' demands?” Further, he urged CM Hemant Soren not to take police action against protesters.

"Today it's CM Hemant Soren's birthday, and he should not take such a step where some unfortunate events like at the Jantar Mantar take place here. Do not do anything that causes someone to bleed or get injured and makes the crowd even more agitated. Arrest is a legal process, but there should be no bloodshed. If the government does not agree to the demands, it will be remembered as the one which killed democracy. I will not end the fast," he said.

Mahto has been on a hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site, for the past nine days.

While the protesters have demanded a CBI probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the JPSC. (With ANI Inputs)

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Hundreds of student volunteers wearing customised "VOLUNTEER" T-shirts have formed human chains along the front and flanks of the procession. Equipped with megaphones, they are guiding the crowd, preventing any spillover into non-designated areas, and ensuring the march remains peaceful as promised.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Political friction intensifies over the student agitation. BJP Jharkhand spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo alleged that he and several opposition leaders were placed under house arrest at early hours to restrict their movement during the protest. The administration has maintained that security measures are strictly non-partisan and aimed solely at preventing law and order disruptions around the Assembly.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Student protesters attempt to break through Police barricade on their route to the State Assembly, as their carry out a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahato on Monday joined the JPSC-JSCC Reform Morcha's 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march against the alleged exam irregularities and said that the state government "will have to listen to the students' demands."

Carrying former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren's portrait, student leader Mahato said, "Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us. I came here in an ambulance. The government will have to listen to us."

Asking the public not to make him a hero, he added, “I am no God or messiah; I am a common man. There will be no change in my personal life. But the barbed wires hurt more than the hunger strike. Students crossed three layers of barricading. Why does the government want anarchy and not agree to students' demands?” Further, he urged CM Hemant Soren not to take police action against protesters.

"Today it's CM Hemant Soren's birthday, and he should not take such a step where some unfortunate events like at the Jantar Mantar take place here. Do not do anything that causes someone to bleed or get injured and makes the crowd even more agitated. Arrest is a legal process, but there should be no bloodshed. If the government does not agree to the demands, it will be remembered as the one which killed democracy. I will not end the fast," he said.

Mahato has been on a hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site, for the past nine days. A large number of student protesters gathered near the Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi during the march against the alleged irregularities in the examinations and recruitment process. The protesters formed a human chain and marched towards the Vidhan Sabha amid heavy security and barricading.

A protester reiterated the demands for the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into the irregularities. He told ANI, “We are not going to stop today. Our first demand is to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam; secondly, a CBI probe.” "We will move ahead when the barricading is opened; till then we will sit here," another protester said.

Slamming the state government, a protester said, "Jharkhand is a mineral-rich state. While the whole country and the world is benefitting from Jharkhand's minerals, students here are kept in the dark due to the government's policies. And today we demand answers peacefully."

Protesters also alleged that vehicles were being stopped by the security personnel, as protesters tried to join the march. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said that the government stands with the youth. Slamming the BJP for their protest outside the CM's residence, Ansari told reporters, "The BJP is an expert in diverting the youth. We stand with the youth; the government stands with you. We are holding talks and will find a solution. Remain peaceful." (With ANI Inputs)

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: 

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, and several BJP leaders were detained by the state police amid protests outside the Chief Minister's residence against the alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations.

Babulal Marandi said, "Students are continuing their protest, but the government is distracting people. JPSC-JSSC-CGL, all of these should be investigated by the CBI."

The protest was launched after a party meeting in Ranchi. It coincided with the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha, which is leading the agitation at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

Earlier today, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo warned the JMM-led Jharkhand government against police action on student protesters amid heightened security during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march.

Speaking to ANI, Deo, while urging Chief Minister Hemant Soren to accept the protesters' demands, also alleged that the party MP, Aditya Sahu, was under house arrest.

He said, "Today is Chief Minister Hemant Soren's birthday. The students and their parents have already given you a birthday gift by bringing you back to power. Today is the time for a return gift; you should fulfil the demands of the students, who are asking for cancelling the exams conducted by TDPL, an outsourcing agency under question. You are not cancelling the exam and running away from a CBI probe. ED has probably filed an ECIR and begun the investigation."

"And the arrangements that you have made on roads today; these are students. You have put up barbed wires, deployed RAF with pellet guns, and our MP Aditya Sahu is under house arrest. Are you trying to show a reign of terror? This is a students' protest, and we do not want to give it a political colour. If even a single lathi is raised, every Bharatiya Janata Party worker will take to the streets for defence, and you will be held responsible for the consequences," the BJP spokesperson added.

The protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants have maintained that their key demands, including cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, and reforms to the recruitment process, have not been fully accepted by the state government. (With ANI Inputs)

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE:

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: 

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: 

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Over 2,000 security personnel have been deployed across key intersections in Ranchi. Police are monitoring movement using drone cameras and paintball markers to mark potential agitators attempting to breach barricades. Ranchi police issue warnings that involvement in unlawful activity or clashes will lead to legal action affecting government job verification and tender eligibility.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: 

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Protesting student leaders allege that police teams have set up checkpoints along major entry highways into Ranchi, stopping buses and vehicles bringing student cohorts from neighboring districts like Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, and Giridih.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Efforts to end the agitation through talks have failed, with student leaders insisting on a CBI investigation. The state government, meanwhile, proposed an ED probe, a fast-track court and filing of chargesheets within 90 days in cases linked to the alleged exam irregularities.

The Ranchi district administration has urged protesters to maintain peace and avoid any violent or unlawful activities during the march. Protesters, however, alleged that students travelling to Ranchi from different parts of the state were being stopped by police.

The protest entered its 17th day today, while six students continued their hunger strike over the alleged recruitment exam irregularities.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: With the agitation entering its 17th day, medical teams arrived at the assembly staging area in Jagannathpur to conduct health checkups on student leaders continuing their hunger strike.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: In a major twist in the 14th JPSC Preliminary Exam irregularities case, all three serving JPSC members, Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmad, have resigned and reportedly submitted their resignations to the Governor. The development comes as the Jharkhand CID had summoned the trio for questioning from Monday after arresting 19 accused.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand student protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto on Sunday vowed to continue his indefinite hunger strike despite a video-call outreach by four state ministers. On the eighth day of his fast and 16th day of the agitation, Mahto said the movement would continue until the government's assurances are provided in writing.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand has been placed on high alert ahead of a proposed Assembly gherao on Monday, with students from across the state heading to Ranchi. Authorities have intensified vehicle checks and surveillance to curb turnout, while protesters continue mobilising from multiple districts for what is expected to be a major show of strength.

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday assured students that justice would be delivered and seen to be delivered. Speaking at a Tribal Festival, Soren criticised the use of force against protesters, saying, "Lathis and batons are meant for borders, not for use against people within the country. Your (youth) sentiments and your concerns are our concerns."

Ranchi Student Protest LIVE: Buses and groups of aspirants begin arriving at the Old Legislative Assembly in Jagannathpur, which serves as the designated rallying point before heading toward the new Vidhan Sabha.