Jharkhand Police Book 600 Protesters Over Assembly March Against JPSC-JSSC Exam Irregularities

Ranchi: Jharkhand Police have registered a case against around 600 protesters in connection with a march towards the state Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The FIR names 100 protesters, while around 500 unidentified students and other participants have also been booked.

The case comes as the agitation led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch entered its 20th day on Thursday. Students have been protesting at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, demanding greater transparency in the recruitment process, cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities.

The protesters have sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand. They have maintained that the agitation will continue until their demands are addressed.

Protesters March Towards Assembly

Tensions escalated on August 10 when thousands of job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly as part of the ongoing agitation. Security forces deployed barricades and used water cannons, tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters after the situation turned tense.

Police have alleged that some protesters resorted to violence and stone-pelting during the confrontation, while protesters and opposition leaders have accused the administration of using excessive force against the job aspirants.

The police action subsequently triggered a political backlash, with the BJP observing a statewide bandh in protest.

Students Continue To Demand Recruitment Exam Reforms

The students' agitation centres on alleged irregularities in multiple JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Their demands include cancellation or review of disputed examinations, greater transparency in the recruitment process and an independent probe into allegations of examination malpractice.

The state government had earlier agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and two backlog recruitment tests. However, student groups have continued their agitation, demanding further action, including cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level examination and a CBI investigation.

The protesters have also rejected the state government's claim that most of their demands have been addressed, maintaining that key issues remain unresolved.

Political Row Intensifies

The student agitation has also become a political flashpoint in Jharkhand. Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das has threatened to go on a hunger strike if the demand for a CBI probe is not accepted within a week. The ABVP has also announced protests at more than 1,200 universities over the issue.

The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren-led government of attempting to suppress the students' movement, while the Congress has accused the BJP of politicising the agitation and alleged that outside workers were brought in to disrupt the protests.

Meanwhile, questions have also been raised over the state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged recruitment irregularities, with student groups questioning its credibility following changes in its composition.

With the FIR against around 600 protesters now adding another dimension to the dispute, the standoff between the Jharkhand government and protesting recruitment aspirants is set to continue.

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