Ranchi: The student protest over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations in Jharkhand entered its 17th day on Monday, with thousands of students marching towards the state Assembly in Ranchi.
Students from several districts reached the state capital by trains, buses and other vehicles to participate in the demonstration. The protesters are demanding reforms in the recruitment examination system and a probe into alleged irregularities.
Students Breach Barricades
The protesters began their march towards the Assembly and breached barricades put up by authorities along the route. Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers across Ranchi, while security arrangements have been strengthened at sensitive locations to prevent any untoward incident.
Several schools in Ranchi remained closed on Monday amid the protest. Police had also been checking buses and private vehicles at district borders, major roads and highways in an effort to regulate the movement of protesters towards the state capital.
What Are the Students Demanding?
The agitation has been driven by allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The students have been demanding, among other measures, a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities. However, several rounds of discussions between student representatives and a government-appointed panel have failed to resolve the deadlock.
The sixth round of talks held on Sunday also ended without an agreement.
Government Says 98% of Demands Accepted
The Jharkhand government has said that it has accepted around 98% of the students’ demands and has appealed to them to end their agitation.
The protesters, however, maintain that the government has agreed to cancel only three of the 13 examinations they want scrapped. Student representatives have continued to insist on a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.
Six protesters are also reportedly continuing a hunger strike as part of the ongoing agitation.
Security Tightened Across Ranchi
With thousands of students gathering in Ranchi, authorities have increased security around the Assembly and other sensitive areas. Barricades have been installed at several locations and police forces have been deployed in large numbers.
The administration is closely monitoring the situation as the students continue their march, while efforts to resolve the dispute through talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
The protest remains focused on demands for greater transparency and reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment examination system.
