New Delhi: In Jharkhand, the students' agitation regarding recruitment examinations is continuously gaining momentum. Students are sitting on an indefinite strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi against alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations. After the police arrived on Wednesday, a discussion started among the students regarding detention, on which Ranchi Police clarified the situation. Ranchi SP Paras Rana said that the police team had come not to take the students into custody, but to identify the suspects after the previous stone pelting incident.
He said that wrong information about the detention is being spread through social media and Instagram influencers. According to the SP, the core committee of the protest itself had complained about the presence of some anti-social elements on the premises. After this, the police talked to the people present at the protest site and checked the identity cards. Its objective was to ensure that no external or criminal element could take advantage of the students' movement.
Students accused of pressurizing
Student leader Piyush Kumar claimed that senior police and administrative officials reached the protest site and talked to the students who were on hunger strike. According to him, SSP, DSP and District Magistrate appealed to the students and CGL candidates to end the agitation. However, Piyush also said that no official order has been given by the administration to vacate the protest site. Students say that the agitation will continue until a concrete decision is taken on their demands.
DC appealed to the students
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said that the administration had arrived to see the condition of the students and the arrangements there. He told that two students are on hunger strike and the administration has appealed to them to express their views without harming their health. The DC assured round the clock cooperation from the administration. He also defended the police action during the demonstration towards the Assembly on Monday and said that more than 14 policemen were injured in the stone pelting incident.
BJP leaders supported the students
BJP leaders also reached the protest site. Party's state vice president Bhanu Pratap Shahi said that the issue of students is not limited to Jharkhand only, but it is a matter related to the youth of the country. He accused the administration of scaring the students. According to Shahi, NDA MPs have also raised this issue in Parliament and BJP stands with the students.
Demand for cancellation of exam and CBI investigation
The students are demanding improvement in the recruitment process of JPSC and JSSC, cancellation of JSSC-CGL exams and a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities. JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahato's hunger strike continued for the 11th day on Wednesday. Despite being admitted to the hospital, there was no evidence of his withdrawing from the movement.
Protester Prem Nayak also told that he has been on hunger strike for nine days. He alleged that the police were trying to weaken the movement by asking for identity cards late at night. The students have made it clear that despite pressure they are not ready to back down on their demands.