Jharkhand Student Protest: Tear Gas, Water Cannons Used After Barricades Breached

Police fired tear gas shells after students breached multiple barricades and moved towards the Jharkhand Assembly premises during an escalating protest.

The students have been demanding greater transparency and accountability in recruitment examinations.

Security forces deployed tear gas, water cannons and a lathi charge as protesters advanced towards the Assembly.

Despite powerful water jets, several demonstrators continued raising slogans and dancing.

Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said some protesters refused to follow appeals from the JPSC Reform Manch and Nyay Manch. He said the protest had remained largely peaceful earlier but had now moved beyond the organisers’ control.

Rana said around 90 per cent of students remained peaceful. He alleged that about 10 per cent of the crowd ignored appeals and resorted to violence. He also said some protesters pelted stones.

According to Rana, police used mild force to evacuate personnel from the affected area. He said officers deliberately fired two smoke grenades as dummy rounds in the zone where stones were allegedly being thrown.

The move aimed to create a psychological effect and push protesters away from the area.

The agitation has been led by recruitment examination aspirants seeking fairness, transparency and accountability in the selection process.

Tensions escalated after protesters broke through several security barricades and continued marching towards the Vidhan Sabha. Police subsequently intensified crowd-control measures.

The protesting students have maintained that they will continue their agitation until authorities address their concerns over the recruitment examinations. They are also seeking concrete action against those allegedly responsible for the irregularities.

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