Ranchi: Thousands of protesting students marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Sunday after several rounds of talks with the state government failed to resolve their key demand for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The protesters breached police barricades as they advanced towards the Assembly, intensifying an agitation that has continued for 16 days. Students from different parts of Jharkhand reached Ranchi by trains, buses and private vehicles to join the demonstration.
The state government had deployed heavy security across the capital, with barricades installed at major junctions and other sensitive locations. Police personnel were positioned at several points to prevent any law and order situation. Schools in several parts of Ranchi also remained closed.
The latest march followed a sixth round of talks between the protesting students and a government appointed panel. The government maintained that it had accepted around 98 per cent of the protesters’ demands but failed to convince them to withdraw their agitation.
The panel said it had agreed to several demands and stressed that there was no attempt to protect anyone involved in alleged examination irregularities. It urged students and their families to pursue dialogue instead of continuing the agitation.
However, the protesters remained firm on their demand for a CBI probe, particularly into alleged irregularities surrounding the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level examination. They also demanded wider reforms in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
The government has proposed cancelling three examinations and has launched a portal inviting suggestions from students on improving examination procedures. Authorities also plan to introduce a standard operating procedure aimed at making recruitment tests more transparent.
The administration has assured protesters that adequate security arrangements are in place for the Assembly march and that students will not be subjected to harassment.
The agitation has gained momentum amid developments within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, including the resignation of its chairperson and three members following investigations into alleged irregularities and paper leaks.
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