Jharkhand Police Use Water Cannons, Tear Gas on Student Protesters; Former JPSC Chairman Arrested

Jharkhand Police Use Water Cannons, Tear Gas on Student Protesters; Former JPSC Chairman Arrested

Ranchi, Aug. 10 [VoM News]: Police on Monday used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse thousands of student protesters attempting to march towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, as the agitation over alleged recruitment exam irregularities entered its 17th day.

The demonstrators, gathered under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, breached several barricades during their “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” march, demanding cancellation of disputed recruitment examinations, a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and reforms in the recruitment process.

Several protesters claimed they were injured during the police action near Jagannathpur Temple while trying to reach the Assembly premises.

Amid the protests, the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairman L Khiangte in connection with the alleged recruitment examination irregularities. Officials said Khiangte had been questioned multiple times before his arrest and had resigned from the post on July 22.

With his arrest, the number of people held in the case has risen to 20, according to officials.

The arrest came a day after all three serving JPSC members resigned following summons issued by the CID as part of the ongoing investigation.

Thousands of students from across Jharkhand travelled to Ranchi by buses, trains and private vehicles to participate in the march. Authorities imposed extensive security arrangements, deployed large numbers of police personnel and enforced prohibitory orders around the Assembly complex.

The protesters have rejected the state government’s claim that most of their demands have been accepted, insisting that a CBI investigation remains their primary demand.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also initiated a probe into the alleged financial aspects of the recruitment scam after registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on the CID’s FIR.

The protests have drawn political attention, with the BJP backing the students’ demands and seeking a CBI probe, while the ruling alliance has accused the opposition of attempting to politicise the agitation.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured students that those responsible for any recruitment irregularities will face strict action and reiterated that dialogue remains the preferred way to resolve the issue.