Jharkhand Students Protest: ABVP Members Clash With Police Near CM Hemant Soren’s Residence, 8-10 Detained
Jharkhand Students Protest: The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified on Saturday as ABVP members clashed with police near Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi. Around 8-10 protesters were detained after some demonstrators allegedly tried to break through police barricades.
The latest confrontation came as the protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants entered its 15th day, with students continuing to demand the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and an independent probe into alleged irregularities.
ABVP Members Clash With Police Near Hemant Soren’s Residence
According to officials, ABVP members scuffled with police personnel near the Jharkhand Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday afternoon. Protesters reportedly attempted to cross the barricades, following which police detained around 8-10 people.
An ABVP leader said the organisation had no dispute with the police and that its protest was directed against the state government’s policies.
“We have no problem with the police, our fight is with the government and its policies,” the ABVP leader said.
The leader said students and job aspirants had been protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi for more than two weeks and that the march was organised to show solidarity with the protesters.
Students Demand Cancellation of 14th JPSC Exam
The central demand of the protesting aspirants is the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Students have alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and have demanded a transparent and independent investigation.
The protesters are also seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or an inquiry by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
They have further demanded structural reforms in both the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) to ensure transparency in future recruitment examinations.
Jharkhand Government Holds Talks With Student Delegation
The confrontation came on a day when representatives of protesting students also held talks with the Jharkhand government.
A designated delegation of students left for the Circuit House in Ranchi to discuss the demands of JPSC and JSSC aspirants with government representatives.
The protesters said their demands include cancellation of the Preliminary Test for the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and a review of examinations conducted through TDPL agencies.
One student representative said the delegation was hopeful that the government would listen to their concerns and take action.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto also maintained that the demands would remain unchanged irrespective of which group participated in discussions with the government.
Government Launches Email Channel for Student Feedback
Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government was continuing discussions with different student groups and stakeholders.
The state government has also announced a dedicated email channel to collect suggestions related to reforms in the recruitment examination system.
The government said students, individuals and other stakeholders can submit their suggestions through the email channel, after which their concerns will be considered while preparing a reform policy.
Minister Sonu said the government intends to engage with different student groups before taking a collective decision on the issue.
Protest Enters 15th Day
The JPSC-JSSC agitation began after candidates raised questions over the fairness of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination following the declaration of results on July 5.
Since July 25, thousands of students and job aspirants have gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
The movement has gradually expanded beyond the examination issue, with students demanding wider reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment system and greater accountability from the authorities.
Protesters have warned that the agitation will continue until concrete action is taken on their key demands.
