Jharkhand protest: 17-day stir escalates as aspirants enter assembly, official arrested

Ranchi: Thousands of job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations clashed with security forces on Monday, breaking through multiple barricades and managing to symbolically enter the state assembly premises. The protest, entering its 17th day, saw police resort to water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges as demonstrators pushed towards the assembly.

The agitation, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, has persisted despite several rounds of talks between the state government and protesters. Their key demands include the cancellation of several recruitment exams, comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), and an independent probe into alleged irregularities.

The march began around 10:30 am from outside the old assembly building, coinciding with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's 51st birthday. As protesters reached the final barricade near Jagannathpur Temple, roughly 200 metres from the assembly, security forces used water cannons and fired tear gas shells. Several protesters, including female students, claimed they were injured during the lathi-charge. Despite the action, a section of the demonstrators breached the barricades and entered the assembly premises. The assembly was adjourned for the day in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand CID arrested former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to 20. Khiangte, a 1988-batch IAS officer, had served as state chief secretary before his appointment as JPSC chairperson in February last year. He resigned on July 22, saying he stepped down voluntarily to facilitate an impartial investigation. He had been questioned four times since July 28. His arrest came a day after all three JPSC members — Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmad — resigned after being summoned by the CID.

Political reactions emerged swiftly. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against students, asserting their right to peaceful protest. "The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong," Gandhi said, adding that only dialogue could resolve the issue. He urged the state government to listen to the protesters and address their concerns immediately.

State minister Sudivya Kumar alleged that the agitation had moved beyond a students' movement and was being driven by the BJP's political agenda. He claimed the government had already fulfilled 95% of the protesters' demands. However, BJP Yuva Morcha state president Shashank Raj called the police action a "black day for democracy" and urged Chief Minister Soren not to be "insensitive" towards students' demands.

The protesters are seeking cancellation of several exams, including the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and an independent probe by either the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state. They noted that the government had agreed to cancel only three of the 13 examinations they want scrapped.

As the standoff continues, both sides have called for dialogue, but no breakthrough has been announced. The issue highlights the broader concerns over transparency and fairness in state recruitment processes.