Jharkhand protest: Student leader Devendra Mahto taken to hospital after his health deteriorates

On Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's statement to student protesters, Jharkhand BJP chief Aditya Sahu said, "What is the harm in a CBI inquiry? Why is he not accepting students' request? Today lakhs of our students were there; a lathicharge was carried out on them, tear gas was fired, and people were beaten up. Children are in the hospital."

Injured protesters show lathicharge bruises. Police in Ranchi used water cannons, lobbed tear gas shells, and lathi-charged job aspirants as they breached barricades and attempted to reach the state assembly, protesting the alleged recruitment exam irregularities.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in a post on X said, "I thank all the administrative and police officials and personnel for handling the situation during today’s student protest with restraint, sensitivity and full responsibility. My dear young friends, you raised your voice peacefully over your demands. In a democracy, you have the right to express your views, and it is the government’s responsibility to respect your voice. The government has heard your concerns. Senior ministers of our government have been in continuous dialogue with you, and I assure you that your demands will be acted upon with complete seriousness and sensitivity.

Over the past few days, you have seen that the government has not spared anyone, regardless of who they are, if they were found guilty. Our clear objective is to address shortcomings in the system so that no student has to face difficulties in the future. We want to make the examination system more transparent, technology-enabled, secure and accountable. Your participation is the most important part of this change. Our endeavour is not merely to discuss problems in Jharkhand, but to set a new example of finding solutions from here. I also understand that amid your peaceful protest, some people from the Opposition tried to disturb the atmosphere and mislead students for political gains. I appeal to all of you not to be swayed by any such political narrative. You are the future of Jharkhand. It is our responsibility not to ignore your voice, but to listen to you and resolve your problems. I reiterate my appeal: let us resolve this issue together through dialogue and trust."

Devendra Nath Mahto is being taken to the Sadar Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

Visuals show security personnel dragging a woman protester and removing protesters during the 'Vidhan Sabha March'.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan said, "There has been no response from the government. On the contrary, the administration is trying to remove us from here (Vidhan Sabha). What kind of democracy is this? Chief Minister Hemant Soren, don't be a dictator. It is the youth who brought you to power, and they will also remove you from power. We have come here to make a commitment. What have we done? We have demanded a CBI inquiry. And now you are responding with lathis? This will not work. This is a democracy, and there is no place for authoritarianism in a democracy. The government's claims are being exposed today. The SP had asked us to sit peacefully, but suddenly the police resorted to a lathi-charge. The students have not eaten all day. They are fighting for their rights. Will you use lathis against them?"

On 'Vidhan Sabha March', Student leader Devendra Mahto said, "We have been on a Satyagraha for the past 17 days and on hunger strike for 9 days. The police pushed a hungry person like me too, and forcibly put me in an ambulance."

One of the protestors said, "The male police officers rained lathi blows on the women. They should be ashamed. It would have been a different matter had female police officers been present... We were sitting peacefully in protest, yet the police treated us brutally. They lathi-charged the women, tore their clothes, and beat them. This government's dictatorship will not be tolerated... We used to hold the police administration in high regard... but a grave injustice has taken place here."

One of the protestors said, "There are no women in their administration. They have been brutally beating people up. They are acting as stooges of the government. While the Jharkhand government offers the 'Mahila Samman Yojana', these people go around assaulting mothers and sisters. They ought to be made to wear black uniforms."

One of the protestors said, "We will face the batons; we will fight for our rights. We have been sitting here in protest."

Speaking about the security arrangements in the city in view of the 'Vidhan Sabha March', Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said, "Today, a march was organised with a call to gherao the Vidhan Sabha. Initially, it was said that the gherao would remain peaceful. Repeated appeals were made to the crowd, but they pelted stones at the police. Three to four police personnel were injured, with two suffering head injuries that required stitches. Three personnel fell, and protesters attempted to trample them. We had to evacuate them and resort to a minor lathi-charge. Fortunately, we were able to save them."

Police use lathi charge to disperse JPSC-JSSC aspirants who were protesting outside the State Assembly in Ranchi.

LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, said, "The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions.  The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately."

Security has been tightened around Gate No. 1 of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly as students continue their protest over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC examinations.

Student protesters reach outside Vidhan Sabha after crossing police barricades.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato said, "Till now, no one has come from the government side for talks..."

Several protesters claimed they were injured in the police action, which took place when they reached the final barricade near Jagannathpur Temple on the road to the assembly, which is in session.

A youth dressed as Spiderman joins a protest in Ranchi.

Students question the use of lathi-charge and tear gas during a peaceful protest. Meanwhile, the police urged protesters to return home.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi said: "CID's arrest of former JPSC chairman L Khiyangte is merely a show. The Hemant government will, like in the case of Vinay Choubey, allow him to get default bail without filing a chargesheet and eventually bury the matter. The students’ demands are not limited to JPSC. Large-scale irregularities have been reported in JSSC examinations, including those for Assistant Teachers, CGL, Excise Constables and PGT posts, with jobs allegedly being sold. If the government genuinely wants to take action, it should arrest all three JPSC members, along with former officials Neeraj Sinha and Sudhir Gupta, who were responsible at the commission during the JSSC-CGL examination, as well as Vinod, a close aide of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who allegedly kept the candidates’ admit cards. JSSC’s in-charge chairman, IAS officer Prashant Kumar, should also be suspended immediately and an FIR registered against him. A CBI probe should be ordered to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the entire matter."

"My head and legs are hurting, and my head is bleeding," said protester Sanjay Mahto, who was injured in a police lathi-charge on job aspirants.

During the 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato said, "You can see the pain of students in this Vidhan Sabha march. Even after 9 days of my hunger strike, I came here in an ambulance, and I am part of this march on a stretcher. But this Govt is crushing our voice, and using water cannon and tear gas shells. This is condemnable. Govt is scared; this is coward govt. Sarkar jab jab darti hai, tab tab Police ko aage karti hai. We will continue to march ahead. We had 3 rounds of discussions with the Govt; they should meet our demands. If students' demands are not met, the CM post will be under threat. Govt will be shaken; this agitation is not going to stop. This has become a mass movement. The palindrome of 'Yuva' (youth) is 'Vayu' (wind) - nobody can stop 'Vayu' (wind)."

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, "We will not talk to the government anymore."

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the conduct of multiple recruitment examinations in Jharkhand particularly the JSSC-CGL examination, officials said on Monday. They said the central agency took cognisance of a state police CID FIR and some other complaints and chargesheets to initiate a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is soon expected to initiate further action, including gathering evidence, summoning those linked to these cases and possibly attaching the accused's assets, officials said. Students have been agitating in the state for 16 days demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, particularly the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination). The agitators are also demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). (PTI)

CID team brings out former JPSC Chairperson L Khiangte from his residence in Ranchi after arresting him. This comes amid the JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Student groups are demanding a full, independent CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL exam and broader reforms for both JPSC and JSSC.

Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said, "90 per cent of the students are peaceful, but 10 per cent are paying no heed to anyone. If 700-1000 students in the crowd are not listening to anyone, not even to their representatives, and have broken barricading - pushing through the barricading and crushing three Police personnel - still Police personnel showed restraint. They have also pelted stones at the Police force. Still, we showed minimal aggression for a really short time because they are all only students. I appeal to everyone to be peaceful and not be violent. Your demands are reaching the Govt; do not show aggression. We appeal to the students to protest peacefully and not pelt stones at the police."

Fresh clash between student protesters and Police during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march. Police use tear gas shells for crowd control.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, in a post on X, said, "Today, Jharkhand Public Service Commission's dismissed Chairman Khiyante ji has been arrested. In 2019, they made every effort to make me lose the Lok Sabha election; when I called them, they filed a case against me—back then, they were Jharkhand's election officer. Behold the decree of justice: the very party against whom they conspired to make win, that same party has sent them to jail. Congratulations to the students on the victory."

The Police resorted to lathi charges to disperse students who are trying to topple barricades outside the Legislative Assembly. Protesters were seen hurling footwears at the police and a stampede-like situation unfolded. 

-With inputs from Abhay Parashar 

The Ranchi Police has resorted to lathi charges and used water canons to disperse JPSC-JSSC protesting students who are heading towards assembly.  Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato said, "Opposition parties will obviously extend a little support (to the protest), this happens everywhere. But students are agitated. It is their protest. If their demands are met, they won't protest. I am going there (to 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march of students)," as reported by news agency ANI.  

A protester donning a Spiderman mask said, "I have come to Jharkhand because voices are falling on deaf ears of the State Govt...Your Govt doesn't want to hear us, doesn't want to do anything."  

Ranchi Police has used water canons to disperse protesters as they are heading towards assembly. 

Activist Devendra Mahto has joined students protest march towards assembly. "I couldn't stop myself... so many people have joined the march. I am not a God, I am just a normal person. My personal life will not change. Why does the government want anarchy? Why isn't the government accepting the demands of students. I would like to thank the students for participating in the protest. I would also like to thank the media. However, I urge everyone to remain peaceful. 

I don't want students to do anything like the Jantar Mantar... It is Hemant Soren's birthday. We should not promote anarchy," he said. 

The protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants have breached barricades and is heading towards assembly. 

One of the protesting students in the Vidhan Sabha gherao march told ANI, "We have been stopped here but we will head towards the Vidhan Sabha peacefully. Until our demands are met, we will not stop. We demand that JSSC-CGL exam be cancelled, that there be CBI investigation..." 

In a long Facebook post, BJP leader Babulal Marandi appealed to students - "friends, over the past 6 years, JSSC has conducted exams for 26,001 posts of Assistant Acharya, nearly 2,200 posts of CGL, 3,120 posts of PGT, and 583 posts of Produce Guard. In these exams, allegations of large-scale recruitment and rigging have emerged. Serious irregularities have also been alleged in JPSC's 11th, 13th, and 14th exams." 

BJP leader Babulal Marandi and other workers were detained protesting outside the CM residence over the JPSC-JSSC alleged irregularities. 

A large number of protesting students gathered at the Old Assembly building in Ranchi. The protesting students will now march to new assembly building. 

-With ANI Inputs. 

The Ranchi police detained BJP leaders, protesting outside the CM residence. They are protesting over JPSC-JSSC alleged irregularities, as reported by news agency ANI. Meanwhile, the march to assembly has started, however, the police has imposed. 

The protesting students March to assembly has started. Student leader Ravindra Paswan said, "all of us are gathering at the Old Vidhan Sabha. We will begin our march from there in a very peaceful and constitutional manner. I would like to appeal to all the students to do this in a very peaceful and constitutional manner. I also appeal to the common public of Jharkhand to extend us their moral support. I also appeal to the CM to meet our demands, all our demands are genuine," as reported by news agency ANI. 

The protesting students have left from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to participate in Vidhan Sabha march today, August 10, as reported by news agency ANI. The protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants have appealed to students to maintain unity and ensure that Monday’s Vidhan Sabha march remains peaceful.

ED has stepped in to investigate irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) 14th preliminary exam. The ED has filed an ECIR last week based on the FIR registered with CID. Earlier on Sunday, the Hemant Soren-led government announced for a CID and ED probe into alleged recruitment irregularities after a marathon meeting with the JPSC-JSSC protesting students.  

The protesting students rejected the government's proposal, maintaining that their primary demand for a CBI inquiry had not been accepted. Protesting students accused the Jharkhand government of spreading "lies" by claiming it had fulfilled 98 per cent of their demands. A student leader claimed the government had cancelled only three of the 13 examinations whose cancellation was demanded by the protesters.

The Hemant Soren-led government has not agreed to the demand for cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam or a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in government recruitment exams. "The remaining two per cent, specifically the demand to cancel the CGL exam, could not be met because the government cannot unilaterally cancel an examination conducted under the directions of the High Court and Supreme Court," he said. 

Following a marathon meeting on Sunday with a students' delegation in Ranchi, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government believes that 98 per cent of the points raised by students have been accepted. He said the government had agreed to several demands raised by the students, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and backlog recruitment examinations of 2023 and 2025.

The Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government announced a multi-pronged action plan, including Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probes into alleged recruitment irregularities. However, protesting students remained firm on their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. 

The protesting students called for a peaceful  'Vidhan Sabha gherao' (Assembly march) on Monday and appealed to students from across the state to join the protest, despite the government's claim that they accepted 98 per cent of their demands.