Jharkhand police used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charges to disperse thousands of job aspirants marching toward the State Assembly in Ranchi. The protesters, who have been agitating for 16 days, are demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Despite the government canceling certain JPSC exams and the resignation of commission members, students remain firm in their demands for further accountability.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike, joined the march despite his deteriorating health. While the state government accused the opposition BJP of hijacking the protest for political gains, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against the students, urging the administration to engage in dialogue to resolve the issues.
Amid the unrest, the Enforcement Directorate has launched an investigation into the recruitment irregularities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has announced plans for a peaceful gherao of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday to protest the police action and the ongoing exam controversies.
