In Jharkhand, students are protesting over alleged exam irregularities
In Ranchi, the capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand, students marched toward the state legislative assembly building to protest alleged irregularities during civil service entrance exams. Police used water cannons and barricades to block the demonstration, according to Al Jazeera English.
Protests in Jharkhand have been ongoing since late July. Protesters allege that exam questions may have been leaked and that other irregularities occurred during the competitive exams. They are demanding a review of the state’s exam system, the cancellation of some of the tests, and that an investigation into the possible leaks be handed over to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation.
Hundreds of police officers were guarding the legislative assembly building. Security forces also used drones for surveillance and set up multi-layered barbed-wire barriers around the complex. Water cannons were deployed after protesters began climbing over barricades near the Jagannath Mandir temple, approximately three kilometers from the legislative assembly complex.
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At least six protesters are continuing their indefinite hunger strike. Among them is 33-year-old student leader Devendra Nath Mahhto, who is on his ninth day of fasting. He joined the front lines of Monday’s march on a stretcher. “Despite the hunger strike, barbed wire won’t be able to stop us,” Mahto said in an address to the protesters, which was broadcast by Indian media.
Late Sunday evening, the Jharkhand government agreed to cancel the 14th preliminary exam of the Jharkhand Civil Service Commission and two additional recruitment exams. Three members of the commission’s board resigned following questioning by state investigators. Meanwhile, student groups stated that they would not end their protests until the authorities cancel the Combined Graduate Level exam and refer the investigation into possible exam leaks to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
