The Ranchi administration has increased security around the Chief Minister’s residence as officials prepare for possible student mobilisation on August 20.
Authorities have taken precautionary measures after receiving intelligence inputs about a potential gathering near the residence on Kanke Road, even though student groups have not formally declared plans to surround it.
More than 100 additional armed personnel have joined the security arrangements, with units from the Jharkhand Jaguar and Jharkhand Armed Police deployed in the area.
Officials have also established barricades along the stretch between Suchna Bhawan Chowk and Ram Mandir Chowk to control movement around the residence.
Security personnel have expanded the restricted zone to roughly 500 metres around the Chief Minister’s residence.
Authorities have closed the route between Suchna Bhawan and ATI as part of the precautionary arrangements.
The enhanced security has affected traffic along Kanke Road, with motorists travelling from Morabadi and Kutchery Chowk being directed towards alternate routes.
Students have maintained their protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for around 20 days despite several rounds of discussions with the state government. Their demands include changes to the examination system and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
The state government has reportedly addressed close to 90 per cent of the protesters’ demands, but students continue to seek a CBI investigation into alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the JPSC Civil Services and JSSC-CGL examinations.
The agitation intensified on August 10 when students gathered outside the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, where they faced resistance from the police.
Security personnel used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters before subsequently resorting to a lathi-charge.
Following the confrontation, student organisations indicated that they would strengthen their campaign until the government addressed their principal demands.
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