Kathmandu— Student protesters in Ranchi, Jharkhand were met with force from police Monday as they attempted to march on the Vidhan Sabha (state legislature) to demand accountability in recent examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL). The protest, led by JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha, centers around allegations of irregularities in the exam and recruitment processes, with protesters calling for a CBI investigation and comprehensive reforms. Police responded with lathi charges and water cannons to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to some demonstrators.

Protest Escalates at State Legislature

A large number of student protesters gathered near the Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi during the march against alleged irregularities in the examinations and recruitment process. The demonstration was led by JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha, who have been demanding a thorough investigation into concerns about fairness and transparency. Vikram Kumar, a student protester injured in the lathi charge, expressed his disappointment with the government’s response, stating, “Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully… Suddenly, the police launched a lathi charge.”

Demands for Investigation and Reform

Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, and broader reforms to the state’s recruitment process. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto joined the march, asserting that the government “will have to listen to the students’ demands.” He has been on hunger strike for nine days at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site. Carrying a portrait of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, Mahto declared his resolve, stating, “Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us.

Political Support and Student-Led Agitation

JLKM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato emphasized that the protest is fundamentally driven by students seeking accountability. He acknowledged potential indirect support from opposition parties but stressed the core motivation stems from student concerns. “Fundamentally, they are students,” he said. “As for the opposition parties, indirect support will always be there… But fundamentally, they are students; it’s their agitation, and once their demands are met, they won’t agitate anymore.”

Enforcement Directorate Launches Investigation

Amidst the ongoing protests, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Monday. The ECIR is in connection with alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the JPSC, signaling a broader investigation into potential financial crimes related to the recruitment process.

The protesters have maintained that their key demands remain unfulfilled and are awaiting a response from the state government regarding a CBI probe and comprehensive reforms to the recruitment system.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.