Jharkhand students clash with police near assembly as JPSC exam protest turns violent, talks with govt collapse

New Delhi: Protesting students in Jharkhand marched towards the state assembly in Ranchi in large numbers on Monday morning after their talks with the government remained inconclusive on Sunday.

Students broke several barriers on their way to the assembly and reached very close to the assembly building. Police and RAF, who maintained restraint in the beginning, started using water cannons, tear gas and batons as they started moving closer to the assembly. Several students got injured in the police action. Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said four policemen suffered injuries during stone pelting by the demonstrators.

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As of press time, several students were camping outside the assembly and police were trying to control them. Devendra Nath Mahto, the leader of the protesting students, is on hunger strike, and he moved towards the assembly in an ambulance. Mahto declared that students will not talk to the government now and will end the protest only when their demands are met.

The agitators are demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

They are also seeking cancellation of several recruitment examinations, including the 14th JPSC civil services exam, and an independent probe, either by CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges, from outside the state into the alleged irregularities.

Also read: Use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand wrong: Rahul Gandhi

Jharkhand BJP leaders, Babulal Marandi, marched towards the chief minister's residence in the morning to hold talks. However, the leaders were detained by the police.

State minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu accused BJP of hijacking the protest for its political benefit.