Police throw tear gas on students in Jharkhand, former exam chief arrested

Thousands of students, travelling by trains and buses, gathered in Ranchi, the capital of India's Jharkhand state, to protest demanding reforms in recruitment examinations. When students broke through police barricades on their way to the state assembly, police used baton charges, water cannons and tear gas to disperse them. Amid this situation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had said that all problems could be resolved through dialogue, not batons. Indian media NDTV confirmed the matter.

Meanwhile, the state CID arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairman L. Khiaangte over allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations. He had resigned from the post on July 22.

Thousands of students reached the state assembly to demand reforms in recruitment examinations. Fasting protest leader Devendra Mahato also joined the march. When police deployed water cannons, some students began dancing in front of the water jets, reminiscent of scenes from the NIT protests in Patna.

One of the primary reasons for the agitation is allegations of question paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Despite several rounds of talks between the government and protesters to withdraw the 16-day-long agitation, no resolution has been reached. In the sixth round of talks yesterday, students demanded a CBI probe into the irregularities, but no agreement was reached.

The state government claimed that 98 percent of the students' demands had been accepted. However, protesters alleged that the government had agreed to cancel only three of the 13 examinations they had sought to be scrapped. JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said they would not back down from their demand for a CBI probe. As part of the agitation, six students are still on hunger strike.

To control the law and order situation in Ranchi, barricades have been set up at key intersections and sensitive areas, and a large number of police personnel have been deployed. Most schools are closed today. Buses and private vehicles have been searched at district borders, main roads and highways to prevent students from entering the capital. Meanwhile, BJP leaders also protested outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence.

Amid allegations of recruitment irregularities and question paper leaks, the JPSC saw major changes yesterday. Three members of the commission resigned after being summoned by the CID. Earlier, Chief Minister Soren had assured strict action against those involved in irregularities.