Ranchi, 10 August (H.S.): The ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand intensified on Monday as thousands of recruitment exam aspirants marched towards the state Assembly, prompting police to use water cannons and lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades.

The protesters, associated with the JPSC-JSSC Reform movement, are demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They have also sought the cancellation of certain examinations and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities.

The protest, which has entered its 17th day, saw a large number of students gather in Ranchi before beginning the march towards the new Assembly building. Security arrangements were tightened across the city, with barricades and razor fencing installed at several locations.

As the protesters moved towards the Assembly and attempted to cross multiple layers of barricading, security personnel deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd. Police also resorted to a lathi-charge as the situation became tense.

Despite the use of water cannons, some protesters were seen continuing with the demonstration, with videos showing students dancing and raising slogans amid the water being sprayed at the gathering.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike, also joined the Assembly march. He arrived in an ambulance and carried a portrait of former Chief Minister Shibu Soren.

Mahto said he would continue his hunger strike until the students' demands were addressed in writing. He said the future of lakhs of students was more important than his own health and urged the state government to resolve the issue through dialogue.

He also appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to avoid the use of force against the protesters and warned that any violence could further aggravate the situation.

Student leaders had earlier said the march would remain peaceful and constitutional. They appealed to participants to maintain discipline and prevent anti-social elements from disrupting the demonstration.

The students' principal demands include cancellation of examinations they allege were affected by irregularities, changes in the recruitment process and an independent investigation into the matter. Protesters have particularly pressed for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

The state government has proposed an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), along with the establishment of a fast-track court and filing of chargesheets within 90 days in cases related to the alleged examination irregularities.

The ED has already registered an Enforcement Case Information Report to examine the financial aspects of the alleged irregularities in the JPSC's 14th Preliminary Examination and other recruitment examinations. The agency is expected to examine suspected financial transactions and trace any possible money trail linked to the allegations.

The agitation has also triggered political reactions in the state. Opposition leaders, including BJP leaders, have backed the students' demands and criticised the state government's handling of the protests. Several BJP leaders were detained after staging a demonstration outside the Chief Minister's residence while demanding a CBI investigation.

Earlier, all three serving members of the JPSC reportedly resigned amid the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the commission's 14th Preliminary Examination. The development came as the Jharkhand CID prepared to question them in connection with the case.

Authorities had imposed prohibitory restrictions around the Assembly area and deployed a large police contingent ahead of Monday's march. Officials appealed to students to maintain peace, warning that any disruption of law and order could have serious consequences.

With thousands of aspirants participating in the protest and tensions rising during the Assembly march, the government now faces mounting pressure to address the students' demands and bring the prolonged agitation to an end.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar