The student movement in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations continued for the 18th consecutive day on Monday. A major development was witnessed during the students’ Assembly gherao, as protesters crossed multiple layers of police barricading and moved toward the Jharkhand Assembly.

Near Jagannathpur Sector-2, a large group of protesters crossed a three-layer barricading installed by the police. Despite heavy security arrangements, the students continued moving forward through the designated routes as well as some alternative paths.

The administration had installed several layers of barricades between Shaheed Maidan and the Assembly area to prevent protesters from reaching the restricted zone. However, some protesters managed to cross several barriers and continued toward the High Court area.

Protesters Cross Several Barricades

Security arrangements had been strengthened across the route leading toward the Assembly. Several barricades were placed at different points, including areas near Jagannathpur Temple, Sai Temple, Rishabh Nagar, Jagannathnagar College and the Jharkhand High Court.

According to the information available, the administration had put up around eight levels of barricading between Shaheed Maidan and the Assembly route. Despite this, some protesters used alternative routes and managed to cross multiple barriers.

Some protesters were also seen moving through a shortcut route near Jagannathpur Temple. Reports indicated that a few demonstrators crossed as many as seven barriers while attempting to move closer to the Assembly.

However, reaching the Assembly remained difficult because several layers of security were still in place around the restricted area.

 Three-Layer Barricade Crossed at Jagannathpur Sector-2

The police had installed a strong three-layer barricading near Jagannathpur Sector-2 to stop the protesters from advancing toward the Assembly.

The security arrangement included multiple physical barriers and additional protective measures. Despite the deployment, protesters managed to cross the barricade and continued their march.

The protesters said they were marching peacefully and wanted the government to address their demands. They maintained that their major demands had not been fully accepted.

Their demands include action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, a CBI investigation into the matter and cancellation of certain examinations.

Devendranath Mahto Joins the Protest

Student leader Devendranath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike, also remained associated with the Assembly gherao. Due to his condition, he left for the Assembly in an ambulance.

His supporters later carried him on their shoulders to Shaheed Maidan in the HEC area, where the protest was underway.

Mahto has been one of the prominent voices in the ongoing student movement. He has participated in discussions with the government and has repeatedly stressed that verbal assurances would not be enough to end the agitation.

BJP Leaders Taken Into Custody

Several BJP leaders and legislators who joined a demonstration in support of the protesting students were taken into custody by the police.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, state president Aditya Sahu and several other legislators and party leaders were among those detained. They were being taken to Khelgaon.

The development came as the student protest intensified around the Assembly area. Meanwhile, the Assembly proceedings had already begun, but opposition members remained absent.

Government Agrees to Judicial Commission

During discussions with the student representatives, the government’s ministerial committee said that the JSSC CGL examination could not be directly cancelled because it had been conducted under directions associated with the Jharkhand High Court and the Supreme Court.

However, the government agreed to consider a judicial commission headed by a retired judge to examine the issues and allegations related to the examination.

The proposal was presented as an alternative to the students’ demand for cancellation and a central investigation.

Agreement on Cancellation of Some JPSC Exams

The four-member ministerial committee formed by the government also agreed to the cancellation of certain JPSC examinations.

These include the 14th Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, the Combined Civil Services Backlog Examination 2023 and the Combined Civil Services Backlog Examination 2025.

The discussions also covered the ongoing CID investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC-related matters. Both sides discussed filing a charge sheet within 90 days and establishing a fast-track court for quicker disposal of the cases.

Proposal for ED Probe Into Financial Transactions

Another issue discussed during the negotiations was the alleged financial transactions connected with the irregularities.

The government said that if the ongoing CID investigation had revealed information related to financial transactions, a request would be made for an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate.

The students had also demanded cancellation of certain examinations and a CBI investigation. On this point, the government proposed a judicial inquiry rather than immediately cancelling all the examinations.

Expert Committee Proposed for Examination Reforms

The government also proposed forming a committee of experts to recommend reforms in the recruitment examination system.

Experts associated with IIT-ISM and XLRI would be consulted for suggestions on improving the examination process. The proposal includes preparing a broader action plan to reform the functioning of the two recruitment commissions and their examination procedures.

Student representatives appeared open to the proposal and indicated that reforms in the examination system were an important part of their concerns.

Mahto Seeks Written Assurance

After the first round of talks, members of the ministerial committee spoke with hunger-striking student leader Devendranath Mahto through a video call and informed him about the decisions taken during the discussions.

Mahto responded that an agreement could be possible if the major decisions and assurances were provided to the students in writing.

He made it clear that verbal assurances alone would not be sufficient for the movement to end.

The student protest remains ongoing in Ranchi. Security has been tightened around the Assembly premises, while protesters continue to press for action on their demands. The next phase of the movement is likely to depend on the government’s written commitments and the response of the student representatives.