Jharkhand Protest LIVE: Minister Defends Police Action Against Students As Oppn Attacks Soren Govt; Agitation Continues
- Student protests against JPSC/JSSC irregularities intensify in Jharkhand
- Police action on demonstrators draws strong political condemnation.
- Opposition calls for statewide bandh; student leader hospitalised.
As the Jharkhand student agitation entered its 18th day on Tuesday, aspirants intensified their protests against alleged recruitment irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations. Demonstrators marched near the State Assembly area, blocking transit, scaling bus rooftops, and shouting slogans against the administration.
Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari defended police action, claiming that miscreants were sent by the BJP to hijack the demonstration. Defending the government's response, Ansari emphasised that Rahul Gandhi had instructed officials to engage with the aspirants peacefully.
"Rahul Gandhi has clearly stated that we support peaceful protests. An attempt was made to hijack the protests. They (BJP) sent in miscreants to crush the protests... The BJP used AK-47s; we used water cannons. A large number of our policemen were also injured," Ansari stated, denying allegations of a lathi-charge by the police and asserting that the administration remains open to dialogue with the students.
Earlier in the day, security was heavily reinforced outside the Chief Minister's residence in Ranchi as political mudslinging escalated over Monday's police action. Opposition leaders joined the fray, condemning the lathi-charge on the demonstrators. "Our party was simply supporting their movement and strengthening their cause, showing solidarity with their demands and promising to raise the issue both inside and outside the House," said Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi.
