Jharkhand bandh over student lathi-charge affects several districts
Ranchi, Aug 11 (IANS) A BJP-called Jharkhand bandh on Tuesday affected normal life in several parts of the state as party workers protested against the alleged lathi-charge on students during demonstrations in Ranchi and demanded action against those responsible.
In Giridih, BJP workers shut shops, disrupted bus services and staged a road blockade at Tower Chowk as part of the statewide bandh. Party workers raised slogans against the Jharkhand government and demanded accountability for the police action against protesting students.
The bandh also affected Ramgarh, where BJP workers blocked roads at several locations, including Subhash Chowk, and staged protests against the state government. The demonstrations were held in support of students and against the alleged use of force during the protests in Ranchi.
The BJP had called for a statewide Jharkhand bandh in protest against the lathi-charge and other police action against students during a demonstration in Ranchi. The bandh was also aimed at highlighting the demands of JPSC and JSSC aspirants, who have been seeking action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and greater transparency in the process.
BJP leaders said the party was backing the protesting students and demanded accountability from the Hemant Soren-led state government over the police action.
Meanwhile, in Ranchi, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a protest march from the Old Vidhan Sabha to the New Vidhan Sabha. Police detained all the protesters as they took part in the demonstration.
The protests come amid growing anger among students over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations in the state. Students have been demanding action against those responsible and greater transparency in the recruitment and examination process.
A protester questioned the state government over repeated allegations of examination paper leaks and the treatment of students during protests.
“How are paper leaks happening in Jharkhand? Where is the Hemant government? Where is the Jharkhand Education Minister? How are the papers being leaked? We study day and night, work hard and spend money on our education, and then the papers are leaked. What are we supposed to do?” the protester said.
The protester also alleged that students were being subjected to police action instead of having their concerns addressed.
“Students are being lathi-charged and beaten. What kind of justice is this?” the protester asked.
The developments have intensified the political confrontation in Jharkhand, with opposition parties backing the student movement and the state government facing growing demands for answers on the examination-related allegations and police action.
–IANS
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