Police resort to lathi-charge to disperse protesting candidates in Ranchi, student leader detained

Ranchi, Dec 16 (PTI) Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse agitating candidates, who assembled near the Jharkhand Staff Service Commission (JSSC) office here on Monday to protest alleged malpractices in a recruitment examination held in September.

Jharkhand State Students’ Union (JSSU) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who was leading the protest, was also detained by the police.

The Ranchi administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS within the 500-metre radius of the SSC office from 5.30 am on Saturday to 8 pm on December 20.

The agitating students claimed they were staging a peaceful demonstration around a kilometre away from the JSSC office, while the prohibitory orders were imposed in a 500-metre radius.

“We did not break any law. Despite that, police resorted to lathi-charge and took away our leader Devendra Nath Mahto after beating him up,” a student alleged.

The document verification exercise of the first day took place in the commission’s office amid the protest by a section of candidates under the aegis of JSSU.

JSSC secretary Sudhir Gupta told PTI, “The document verification of 430 candidates out of 440 students scheduled on Monday was completed. The exercise was conducted smoothly.”

JSSC has called 2,231 shortlisted candidates for document verification between December 16 and 22. They qualified in the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCE) in which 3.04 lakh candidates had appeared.

On the lathi-charge, Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh said that the state government is sensitive towards students’ issues.

“The chief minister has already assured of a probe by the CID into the matter. Students should not be aggressive. Our government wants to give employment to youth. All issues can be resolved through dialogue,” Mahato said.

BJP leader Neelkanth Singh Munda said, “On one hand, the CM assures of a probe by the CID, while on the other, JSSC conducts verification of documents. It seems contradictory. The government should allow a CBI probe into the matter.”

A large number of security personnel were deployed and barricades erected at all entry points to the JSSC office here in view of the agitation by candidates. The candidates had announced that they would gherao the JSSC office on Monday to stop the document verification exercise.

Earlier, JSSU leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, “Our prime objective is to stop the document verification exercise by the commission.”

Checking was ensured at all entry points, and no one was allowed to enter without checking, a police officer said.

The Ranchi administration, in an official statement on Sunday, said that it was ready to deal with the agitation. It also urged the students to avoid participating in any kind of aggressive demonstration.

“Such activities not only create law and order problems but can also have a deep impact on their (agitating students) education, future and career,” the release said.

Students have been protesting over the JGGLCC examination, through which recruitment will be made in mostly junior-level posts in the government, alleging that widespread malpractices took place in the examination.

A mega demonstration took place outside the JSSC office on September 30, demanding the cancellation of the examination.

The JSSC has set up a three-member committee to probe the allegations of malpractices, taking cognisance of the students’ complaints.

Dismissing allegations of malpractices, JSSC secretary Sudhir Gupta said the examination was conducted in a free and fair manner.