Clashes between ABVP members and police in Jharkhand, 10 held

The ongoing agitation over irregularities in recruitment examinations has turned tense in India's Jharkhand. Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were involved in scuffles with police while marching towards the residence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren in solidarity with agitating students. Police detained 8 to 10 protesters during the incident on Friday, August 7.

The students' protest against irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations entered its 15th day on Saturday, August 8. A deadlock persists after talks between the state government and protesters failed.

According to eyewitnesses and police, job aspirants have been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for over two weeks demanding the cancellation of the JPSC examination. In support of their demands, ABVP's Jharkhand unit took out a large protest march from Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee University towards the Chief Minister's residence.

When the march reached near Sidho Kanho Park, about 500 metres from the Chief Minister's residence, police blocked their path with barbed wire and barricades. Protesters raised slogans demanding Chief Minister Hemant Soren's resignation and the cancellation of the controversial 14th JPSC examination. At one point, as ABVP members attempted to break through the barricades, violent clashes broke out with police. To maintain law and order, police chased and detained 8-10 ABVP leaders, including student leaders Pradeep Shekhawat, Pasupatinath Upanmanyu and Prakash Tudu.

Following the detentions, ABVP state secretary Prakash Tuti expressed anger, saying they had gone towards the Chief Minister's residence in support of the protesting students' legitimate demands. They had raised their voices through the march.

He further said they had many questions for the government and the Chief Minister must answer them.

Following the incident, ABVP has announced an escalation of protests. The organisation has called for a mass rally and march towards the state assembly on August 11, urging students, women and youth from all sections of society to join spontaneously.

Following the incident, additional police have been deployed and security measures strengthened around the Chief Minister's residence and the Lalpur police station area.

Source: The Hindu