The protest by students and candidates against alleged irregularities and rigging in the JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations in Jharkhand entered its 17th day on Monday . The agitating students have called for a march to the Assembly today to press their demands. Security has been tightened in Ranchi and surrounding areas in anticipation of the march. Barricades have been erected at major intersections and strategic locations in the city, with a large police presence deployed. The administration has increased special surveillance on the roads leading to the Assembly.
Prohibitory orders within 750 meters of the assembly
According to Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan, a prohibitory order will be in effect within a 750-meter radius of the Assembly building from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from August 6 to August 12. The administration has appealed to protesters to maintain law and order and refrain from any violent or illegal activity. In view of the proposed Assembly march in Ranchi, a prohibitory order has also been imposed in Jamshedpur starting midnight on Sunday.
Police appealed to students for peaceful protest
ADG (Headquarters) Manoj Kaushik stated that the police administration is fully alert regarding the proposed Assembly march. He appealed to the students to present their demands in a peaceful and disciplined manner. Meanwhile, SSP Rakesh Ranjan stated that maintaining law and order is everyone’s responsibility. He added that the police do not want any untoward incident or disorder to jeopardize the students’ careers or lead to legal action against them.
Students allege forced detention
On the other hand, student leaders leading the movement have leveled serious allegations against the police administration. They claim that hundreds of students arriving in Ranchi from various districts and remote areas of Jharkhand are being forcibly and unfairly stopped by the police at various locations. Student leaders say that despite the administration’s restrictions, the candidates are unwilling to back down from their demands and will march to the Assembly. The protesters’ primary demand is an impartial investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and action against the culprits.