Ranchi (Rajeev Sharma): A prolonged student agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations entered its 17th day on Monday, with protesters marching towards the state Assembly amid heightened security and restrictions around the Vidhan Sabha.
The administration has deployed additional police personnel across Ranchi and erected barricades at several strategic points as authorities prepare for the possibility of clashes or disruption during the demonstration.
Police officials have appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and ensure that the march remains orderly. ADG (Headquarters) Manoj Kaushik said the administration was on alert in view of the planned Assembly demonstration.
Kaushik urged students to continue the disciplined conduct they had maintained during the agitation and asked them to prevent troublemakers or anti-social elements from joining the protest.
Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan also appealed for restraint, saying that any disturbance could have consequences for the students themselves. He said the administration’s priority was to maintain law and order without allowing the protest to turn violent.
As a precaution, authorities have imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha. The restrictions, which came into effect on August 6, will remain in place through August 12 and apply daily between 6 am and 10 pm.
Security measures have also been extended beyond Ranchi. An official statement said prohibitory restrictions were imposed in Jamshedpur from Sunday midnight in anticipation of developments linked to the Assembly march.
The district administration has separately urged the protesting students not to resort to aggressive tactics, violence or other unlawful activities.
The protesters, however, have raised concerns over the police response. According to student representatives, several students travelling to Ranchi from other parts of Jharkhand were allegedly stopped by police while attempting to reach the state capital for the demonstration.
The agitation has also drawn political attention. BJP leader and state general secretary Amar Bauri on Sunday alleged that Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu had been placed under house arrest. Bauri criticised the government’s approach, arguing that increasing police deployment outside the party leader’s residence would not end the confrontation.
At the centre of the student movement are allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted in the state. Six students are currently on hunger strike as the wider protest continues.
The Assembly march marks a significant escalation in the campaign, bringing the protesters’ demands directly to the state legislature while placing the administration under pressure to balance security concerns with the students’ right to demonstrate.
