Country. The issue of use of force by police and security forces on students and youth protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi has not cooled down yet. Opposition political parties are putting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the dock in this matter. Now Ranchi in Jharkhand. The ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations has now become an issue of political conflict. The students, who have been agitating for 17 days, attempted to gherao the assembly on Monday. Police set up barricades to stop the protesters and later resorted to lathicharge. During this, many students were injured, while the police also said that their soldiers were injured.
The protesters allege that the government is using force to suppress their voice. The administration says that during the demonstration, some people pushed and pelted stones at the police and officials, after which minimum force was used to control the situation.
Students' agitation continues for 17 days-
The students are demanding cancellation of JSSC-CGL exams and a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in various competitive exams. JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahato, one of the prominent faces of the movement, has been on fast for the last nine days.
His health deteriorated during the assembly siege. The police took him to the hospital by ambulance, where according to doctors, his condition is said to be critical and he has been kept on oxygen support.
Students stood outside the assembly for several hours-
On Monday, students stood outside the assembly for several hours. Despite police appeals to clear the way, many protesters were not ready to retreat. Some students lay down on the road and continued the protest.
According to the administration, barricading was done at many places to keep the assembly session and constitutional order smoothly. Police claim that during the demonstration, some people tried to stop officers and vehicles and shoes, slippers and other objects were thrown.
Police claim- minimum force was used-
According to Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan, the police exercised restraint throughout the day and tried to handle the situation through talks with the protesters. He says that when some people repeatedly created ruckus and did not vacate the way, minimum force was used to normalize the situation.
According to the administration, about 14 policemen have been injured in the incidents of stone pelting and pushing. Police are now identifying the miscreants through CCTV footage.
Student leader said- Now we will talk directly to the Chief Minister-
Agitating student leader Ravindra Paswan said that the movement is not over, but now it has become a mass movement. He said that now the students will talk directly to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
He says that the agitation will continue until the demand for cancellation of JSSC-CGL examination and CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the examinations is not met.
Hemant Soren appealed for dialogue-
Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed to the protesting students to solve their problems through dialogue and trust. At the same time, the government alleges that the opposition BJP is misleading the students for political gains.
The government has said that the JSSC-CGL examination was conducted under the supervision of the court, hence it cannot be canceled directly. CID investigation of the case is going on and preparations have also been made to form a committee under the chairmanship of a retired High Court judge to monitor it.
Rahul Gandhi raised questions on police action-
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed the police action on students as condemnable. He said that peaceful protests should not be responded to with violence and the Jharkhand government should quickly resolve the grievances of the students.
In response, BJP President JP Nadda accused Rahul Gandhi of adopting double standards. He questioned that when Congress is part of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, is the voice of the students reaching Rahul Gandhi and the state government?
Controversy increased due to the arrest of former JPSC chairman-
Amidst the examination controversy, former chairman of Jharkhand Public Service Commission L. Khyangte's arrest has also heated up the matter. CID has arrested him. Khyangte has also previously been the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand.
At the same time, it has also come to light that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigation into alleged financial transactions related to the examination controversy.
Announcement of bandh on 11th August, administration alert-
A statewide strike has been called on August 11 to protest against the action against students. Ranchi district administration has appealed to the people to observe the bandh peacefully. The administration has warned that action will be taken against those who try to disturb law and order or spread violence.
The administration has also prepared helpline and transport arrangements to help such students who have reached Ranchi from outside, who may face difficulty in returning to their homes after the agitation.
Schools are allowed to take decisions based on security-
In view of the bandh, the decision regarding operation of schools has been left to the school management. The administration has advised to give priority to the safety of children. In view of the current circumstances, many schools have decided to keep a holiday on August 11.
At present, the student movement in Jharkhand seems to be intensifying amid the examination system, police action and political allegations and counter-allegations. Now everyone's eyes are on whether any solution emerges from the talks between the government and the agitating students or whether the movement takes a bigger form.