New Delhi: Students in Jharkhand have been protesting for several days over alleged irregularities in examinations. Demonstrating students had called for a siege of the Legislative Assembly in Ranchi on Monday. The police had made elaborate arrangements to prevent the students from reaching the Assembly premises. Throughout the day, reports of scuffles between students and the police kept coming in from Ranchi.
Meanwhile, taking major action, the Jharkhand Police arrested the former Chairman of the JPSC. He had resigned from his post following allegations of irregularities in the July 22 examination. The police have now arrested him in a significant move. His arrest came at a time when students were marching on the streets of Ranchi against the government. A tense atmosphere prevailed between the police administration and the students all day. The police had set up barricades at six locations to stop the students before they could reach the Assembly.
When did he resign?
As allegations of rigging in the examination surfaced and the issue escalated, L. Khiangte resigned as JPSC Chairman on July 22. The former Chairman faces various allegations, including the inclusion of TDPL, a blacklisted company,y in the panel to conduct the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination. Khiangte had been questioned multiple times since July 28.
Additionally, three JPSC members resigned from their posts on Sunday. These included Ajita Bhattacharya, Jamil Ahmed, and Anima Hansda. Governor Santosh Gangwar accepted their resignations. The CID, which is investigating the examination irregularities, had sent notices to these members, prompting their resignations. Today, a CID team questioned all of them.
Police resorted to lathi-charge
It is worth noting that students in Ranchi staged massive protests while marching towards the Legislative Assembly over the examination irregularities. The students employed various tactics to try and reach the Assembly complex, even breaking through police barricades at several locations. The police’s prompt action thwarted every attempt made by the students.
Initially, water cannons were used to stop the students, but they refused to back down. The police also fired tear gas shells. When these measures failed to yield results, the police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. At one point, the situation between the police and the protesting students became extremely tense.
No consensus between the government and the students
It is worth noting that today marked the 17th day of the students’ protest in Ranchi. Tensions ran high on the streets of Ranchi throughout the day. Three rounds of talks have taken place between the government and the students so far, but they have yielded no results. While the government is willing to accept some of the protesters’ demands, a deadlock persists regarding the others.
