FIR against 600 protesters as Jharkhand recruitment exam agitation enters 20th day

An FIR has been reportedly lodged against 600 protesters in relation to the march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday (August 13).

While it mentions 100 protesters by name, 500 other unidentified protesters have also been booked, reported India Today. The development comes at a time when the ongoing students’ protests against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand have entered their 20th day. The protesters have vowed to continue with the agitation till their demands are met by the government.

The 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch', which has been spearheading the agitation at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, has raised demands of greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of multiple recruitment examinations and a CBI probe or an investigation by a panel of retired judges from outside the state.

March and crackdown

Tensions flared during the march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday (August 10) as security personnel used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. The BJP later observed a statewide bandh in response to the police action.

Also Read: Jharkhand bandh: BJP shuts state over police action on job aspirants

Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday (August 12) threatened to begin a hunger strike if a CBI probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities was not ordered within a week. The ABVP also announced protests at more than 1,200 universities over the issue.

Fresh demands

Das has sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of each of the 19 candidates who died during the physical examination for the 2024 excise constable recruitment process.

Also Read: By staging Jharkhand counter-protests, is BJP underestimating scale of student anger?

ABVP leaders have also questioned the credibility of the state-appointed SIT probing the alleged irregularities. They pointed to repeated changes in the composition of the team as a reason for their concerns.

The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren government of attempting to suppress the movement. The Congress, however, alleged that the BJP was politicising the students’ agitation and claimed that workers from outside Jharkhand had been brought in to disrupt the protests.

Deadlock continues

Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto sought permission from the Ranchi civil surgeon to return to the protest site. Mahto, who is undergoing treatment in hospital after his health deteriorated during a hunger strike, said his "soul" remained with the students' movement. Four students on hunger strike were also receiving medical treatment.

Earlier, six rounds of talks between the government and student representatives failed to break the deadlock. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has reiterated his commitment to recruitment exam reforms and assured protesters that the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled. He has also accused the BJP of seeking political mileage from the agitation.