Chaos at Jharkhand: Lathicharge, tear gas, water cannons used on student protesters
Ranchi, August 10: The protest by thousands of students against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams outside the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday spiraled into street battle as demonstrators broke through seven‑tier police barricades and reached Gate No. 1, prompting police to resort to lathicharge, tear gas shells, and water cannons near Jagannath Temple, leaving several students injured amid chaos and stampede just meters from the Assembly boundary.
Amidst the rain, protesters remained stationed outside the Assembly’s Gate No. 1, shouting slogans. Police appealed to them to retreat and protest peacefully. Seeing the situation worsen, security was increased around the Assembly complex. Staff, officials, and several MLAs deployed at the Assembly were safely evacuated through another gate.
To prevent protesters from reaching the Assembly, the police administration had erected seven-layered barricades on the main roads. Police used tear gas and mild force, along with warnings, to stop the main group of students. Subsequently, a large group of protesters left the main road and took shortcuts leading to the fields and the Jagannathpur Temple.
While police remained guarding the main barrier, the protesters crossed all seven barricades, proceeding along different routes, and reached the Assembly gate. This posed a security challenge for the administration. Additional security forces were subsequently deployed in the Assembly and surrounding areas.
After reaching the Assembly gate, a group of students regrouped near the Jagannath Temple. Protests and sloganeering continued there, in collaboration with another group. Given the gravity of the situation, the district administration began monitoring the entire area via drones.
The tension also reached the MLA residence area adjacent to the Assembly. Police fired tear gas shells to control the crowd. CID ADG Manoj Kaushik also arrived at the scene and provided necessary instructions to officers. SSP Rakesh Ranjan reviewed the security situation and attempted to pacify the protesters.
The police administration continued to make efforts to ensure a peaceful end to the protest. Meanwhile, in light of the students’ violent protests, security was further tightened in the Assembly and surrounding areas.
Amidst the violent protests and police action, a scene emerged that revealed a different side of the movement. As the crowd began to disperse after the lathi charge, a police officer became trapped among the protesters. According to eyewitnesses, some people were trying to grab the officer and pull him away. Meanwhile, some students stepped forward and rescued him from the crowd and brought him to safety.
A video of the incident has also surfaced, showing some students rescuing the officer trapped in the crowd. Despite the tense atmosphere, instead of assaulting the officer, the students helped him and safely escorted him to the police force.
Students stated that their protest is not against the police personnel.
Student leaders maintain that their protest is against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the system, not against any police officer or individual. They claim that efforts are being made to carry out the movement peacefully. However, tensions arose at several locations during the assembly siege due to the breaking of barricades and police action.
Currently, a large number of security forces have been deployed in the assembly and surrounding areas. The administration is constantly monitoring the situation and making efforts to maintain peace and order in the area.
