RANCHI — Security forces in Ranchi used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charges today to disperse thousands of student protesters who breached police barricades during a march toward the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly demanding systemic recruitment test reforms.
The escalation coincided with a major crackdown by the state CID, which arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairperson L. Khiangte in connection with alleged paper leaks and exam irregularities. Despite Chief Minister Hemant Soren advocating dialogue, six rounds of talks between government officials and student outfits—who are demanding a CBI probe into 13 disputed JPSC and JSSC examinations—ended in a stalemate.
Key Highlights
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Assembly Siege: Thousands of JPSC-JSSC aspirants converged on Ranchi, breaching security perimeters before being dispersed by security forces.
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High-Profile Arrest: State CID arrests former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte following his July 22 resignation amid widening graft probes.
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Talks Breakdown: Agitating student unions reject government compromise proposals, insisting on a central CBI investigation into state recruitment processes.
