The student protest over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC recruitment continued for the 18th day in Jharkhand on Tuesday (11 Aug). ABVP announced an Assembly march in support of the protesting students, while the BJP has called for a Jharkhand bandh to protest Monday’s (10 Aug) police lathi-charge.
The development follows a tense day in Ranchi, where thousands of protesting students broke through barricades and reached the Assembly gate on Monday (10 Aug). The protesters raised slogans against the state government and demanded action over their allegations.
Police use water cannons, lathis as students reach Assembly
Police attempted to clear the Assembly gate after the protesters refused to move. Water cannons were used first, followed by a lathi-charge when the students continued their protest.
More than 100 students were reportedly injured during the clash.
Students cut cake near Assembly gate for CM Soren
Later in the evening, the protesting students marked Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s birthday by cutting a cake near the Assembly gate. They distributed pieces among fellow protesters and police personnel deployed at the site.
While some students left the protest site later in the evening, others continued to stay there.
Fresh clash reported at night
The situation turned tense again at night, leading to another police lathi-charge. Students alleged that police also used force against female protesters during the action.
Crowd of students during the gherao of the Assembly on Monday.
Lathi-charge had to be done two-three times
Protesting students marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday (11 Aug) broke through four barricades placed by police to stop them. The protesters eventually reached near Jagannathpur Temple, where they sat down near another barricade and continued raising slogans.
Police deploy water cannons to disperse protesters
The administration used water cannons to disperse the students. The protesters responded in different ways, with some dancing in the water while others used shampoo to bathe as the water was sprayed at them.
Meanwhile, a large group of students used fields and dirt tracks to bypass the barricades and reached within around 100 metres of Gate 1 of the Assembly.
Tear gas fired as students throw stones, footwear
The protesters gathered near the barricading and continued shouting slogans. Police then fired tear gas shells to disperse them.
In response, some students allegedly threw stones, footwear and water bottles at the police personnel. The police subsequently resorted to a lathi-charge to push the protesters back.
Multiple clashes reported during protest
The confrontation between police and students continued at several points during the day. Police had to resort to lathi-charge two to three times as protesters repeatedly attempted to move towards the Assembly.
14 policemen also injured, one admitted to ICU
Around 130 people, including protesting students and police personnel, were reportedly injured during the clash that broke out during the Assembly gherao in Ranchi.
Representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch said around 80 of their students were injured in the confrontation, while more than 20 students associated with Nyay Manch also sustained injuries.
Students suffer fractures, 10 seriously injured
Several injured students reportedly suffered fractures to their hands and legs. Ten seriously injured protesters reached Sadar Hospital, of whom three were admitted for further treatment.
14 policemen also injured in clashes
The confrontation also left around 14 Ranchi police personnel injured. Police personnel Anjani Yadav was seriously injured and is undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in Dhurwa.
Twelve other policemen who received primary treatment at Sadar Hospital were discharged and sent home late Monday night.
How Many Demands of the Students Were Met?
| Students’ Demand | Government’s Stance | Status / Outcome |
| Cancel 14th JPSC | PT (Preliminary Test) cancelled | Met |
| Conduct a CBI probe | Ready for CID/ED probe | Pending |
| Cancel CGL exam | Ready for an inquiry by a retired judge | Pending |
| Cancel exams conducted by TDPL agency | Cancelled | Met |
| Complete probe into exam scams within 90 days | CID will conduct the probe | Met |
| Cancel JPSC backlog exams 2023 and 2025 | Exams cancelled | Met |
Devendra Nath Mahto’s health deteriorated
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto’s health deteriorated at the protest site, following which police officials admitted him to Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Earlier, protesting students gathered near the Old Assembly around 10am before marching towards the Assembly to stage a gherao. Police had installed multiple barricades reinforced with barbed wire to stop the protesters from advancing.
Students dance on barricades as police use water cannons
When police deployed water cannons to disperse the protesters, several students climbed onto the barricades and danced despite being drenched. Some protesters also sang the national anthem during the confrontation.
Police later fired tear gas shells to disperse the gathering as tensions escalated near the barricades.
Six-layer security, CCTV monitoring deployed
Authorities have deployed a six-layer security arrangement around the Assembly premises to prevent further escalation. The area is also being monitored through CCTV cameras.
Former JPSC Chairman arrested
CID has arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khyangte amid the ongoing student agitation demanding the cancellation of JPSC-JSSC examinations.
Khyangte had resigned from his post after the JPSC office was raided on July 21. Since then, CID officials had been questioning him as part of their investigation. He has now been taken into custody.
Students continue protest over exams
Students have been protesting for the past 17 days, demanding cancellation of the Jharkhand PSC-SSC examinations over alleged irregularities.
Six students, including student leader Devendranath Mahto, are currently on hunger strike. Despite their deteriorating health, the protesters participated in Monday’s Assembly gherao from an ambulance.
9 photos of the Assembly Gherao
Police lathi-charged for the second time in the evening outside the Jharkhand Assembly gate.
Thousands of protesting students entered the Jharkhand Assembly campus.
Police fired tear gas shells at the students.
Water cannons were used on students near the assembly, where protesters were seen dancing to the water spray.
Students climbed over the barbed wire barricading.
Thousands of students gathered with the tricolor flag to gherao the assembly, police tried to stop them by barricading.
Student leader Devendranath Mahto, who was on a hunger strike, also participated in the assembly siege.
Students are moving forward by removing the barricades, and a heavy police force has been deployed during this time.
A large number of personnel were deployed in the assembly premises.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said in a post on social media X saying “The use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have the right to peaceful protest and solutions can only be found through dialogue. The Jharkhand government should listen to these students and immediately resolve their problems.”
