Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The massive student movement against alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations reached a decisive turning point on Sunday, as thousands of students from 24 districts, carrying tricolours, posters and banners, marched toward the new Assembly building, breaking through multiple police barricades along the way.
Students Break Through Multiple Barricades Despite Police Efforts
Students were initially stopped with barricading near the old Assembly, but broke through the fourth and subsequently the fifth barricade to push forward. Amid the escalating situation, the JPSC-JSSC Reform March delegation repeatedly appealed to students to continue protesting peacefully. A section of the crowd made their way through a dirt track and hillside path toward Jagannath Temple, bypassing police barricading entirely as they advanced toward the Assembly.
Reform March Delegation Tries to Restrain Crowd, Forms Human Chain
The administration urged the Reform March delegation not to proceed toward the Assembly, and delegation members attempted to hold back the students, though controlling the large crowd proved difficult. During the effort to stop the students, there was some pushing and jostling between protesters and delegation members, who formed a three-layer human chain to prevent students from advancing further. Students sat on the road chanting slogans of “Vande Mataram,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and other patriotic slogans. The delegation also appealed to students to identify any anti-social elements present in the crowd so they could be handed over to police, and informed protesters that the march would proceed to Jagannathpur Temple, where the sit-in would continue.
Devendranath Mahto Arrives at Protest Site on Palanquin Amid Hunger Strike
Amid the unfolding events, Devendranath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike, arrived at the protest site seated in a palanquin. Students halted before the new Assembly turn and staged vigorous sloganeering while seated on the road, having already broken through the second and third barricades as they rushed toward Jagannath Temple, with administrative efforts to stop them proving unsuccessful.
Talks with Government Reach Impasse Over CBI Probe Demand
The protest stems primarily from the breakdown of talks between the government and students. Three rounds of discussions had taken place in recent days, covering issues including exam cancellation, investigation into alleged irregularities, and reforms to the examination system. However, no consensus could be reached on the demand for a CBI investigation into the JSSC CGL matter, with the government proposing alternative options instead, while students insisted on a clear decision on their core demands. Following this impasse, students confirmed their decision to proceed with the Assembly march on August 10.
Students Vow to Continue Protest Until Demands Are Met
Students maintained that the movement would continue until concrete decisions are taken on their key demands, with numbers near the old Assembly steadily swelling as attention now shifts to the planned march toward the new Assembly building.
