Jharkhand Bandh Today: Ranchi boils over JPSC-JSSC dispute, BJP’s ‘Jharkhand Bandh’ today in protest against lathi charge on students; Know what will be open and what will be closed

Students under the banner of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) and JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch were on strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium complex in Ranchi for more than two weeks. JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who was on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 9 days, was admitted to RIMS/Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated during the assembly march. The students allege that instead of listening to their legitimate demands, the state government is trying to suppress the movement by using police force.

Ranchi became a battlefield outside the assembly, lathicharge took place 3 times

On Monday, thousands of candidates, who arrived from across the state, started the march for ‘Vidhan Sabha gherao’ amid heavy rain. The situation became tense when the students broke the barbed wire barricades installed by the police and reached near the assembly gate. Police resorted to lathicharge and fired dozens of tear gas shells on three separate occasions to disperse the crowd. The injured students alleged that the male policemen also lathicharged the female candidates. On the other hand, the police administration (City SP) claims that some unruly elements pelted stones at the police forces, in which more than 4 policemen were also injured.

BJP announces ‘Jharkhand Bandh’, what will remain open and what will be closed?

Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi and BJP State President Aditya Sahu held a press conference today against the lathi charge and harassment on students. 11 August (8 am to 12 midnight) Statewide ‘Jharkhand Bandh’ has been called.

• What will be affected: Business establishments, private markets, shops and public transport (bus and auto services) may be affected due to the closure.

• Essential services free: Ambulances, hospitals, medicine shops, milk supplies, fire brigades and candidates appearing for examinations have been kept out of the purview of the bandh.

Main demands of students and attitude of government

Although the Hemant Soren government, under pressure from the protesters, has decided to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and backlog examinations, the students are adamant on their two main demands:

1. Complete Cancellation of JSSC-CGL Exam: The students are demanding cancellation of the examination conducted by the controversial blacklisted agency (TSR Data Processing).

2. Demand for CBI investigation: The candidates are adamant on getting an impartial Central Investigation Agency (CBI) investigation into the rigging in the entire examination system.

Appealing for peace on social media, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government is committed to a transparent examination system and is forming a judicial inquiry committee headed by a former judge. At the same time, considering the seriousness of the matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case under Money Laundering (PMLA) in the JPSC exam rigging case.