Ranchi: Yesterday in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, police lathi-charged students who were marching toward the Legislative Assembly and fired tear gas shells at them. Many were injured.
In connection with irregularities in the Jharkhand government staff selection commission, students began an indefinite hunger strike in the state capital, Ranchi, on July 25. Senior leaders of the student organization, Devendra Nath Mahato (33), Rahul Kranti (40), Rupesh Kumar Pal (30), Savita Kumari (28), and Habiba (27), have been leading the protest. All five have been on a continuous hunger strike.
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government has held six rounds of talks with representatives of the student association involved in the protest. However, no agreement has been reached so far. To appease the students, the Jharkhand government has dismissed some officials from the Staff Selection Commission.
Cases have also been registered against those accused. In this context, former chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, Khyangte, was arrested yesterday. The monsoon session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly is currently underway. Thousands of students marched toward the Assembly in Ranchi yesterday. They advanced into the Assembly premises by crossing police barricades. At that time, some people threw bottles and shoes at the police.
To stop the students, the police first sprayed water. But when they did not disperse and instead danced, it left everyone astonished. Following this, the police resorted to baton charges and fired tear gas shells. Many students were injured in the incident. Four police personnel were also injured.
Regarding this, student union leader Devendra Nath Mahato said, “To suppress the students’ protest, the government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren is carrying out baton charges and firing tear gas shells. We will not be afraid of these repressive measures. We will continue the protest until our demands are met,” he said.
According to Jharkhand government sources, “Six demands were put forward on the students’ side. Of these, four demands have been fulfilled. Negotiations are also continuing,” they said.
