Jharkhand Student Protest Live: Students Breach First Barricade, 5 More Ahead! March Towards Assembly, Devendra Mahto in Ambulance

The Jharkhand student protest in Ranchi intensified on Monday, August 10, as hundreds of students marched towards the state Assembly over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. The protest comes a day after marathon talks between student representatives and the state government failed to reach a final agreement.

The students had announced an Assembly gherao (Assembly siege) after nearly five hours of discussions held in three rounds on Sunday. On Monday morning, protesters gathered near the Old Assembly and began a peaceful march towards the New Assembly.

During the march, students breached the first barricade, while several more layers of barricading remain ahead. The protesters are continuing to move towards the Assembly despite heavy security arrangements. Devendra Mahto is reportedly travelling in an ambulance amid the ongoing protest.

Government Claims 98% of Students' Demands Accepted

On Sunday, a special committee of state ministers held discussions with representatives of the protesting students. Ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Prasad Yadav and Chamra Linda were part of the government delegation.

The government has claimed that around 98% of the students' demands have been accepted. These reportedly include cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and ACF examination, an investigation into examinations conducted through the TDPL agency, and the formation of an expert committee to recommend reforms in the examination system.

However, student representatives have refused to call off the agitation, saying that their key demands are still unresolved.

JSSC-CGL Cancellation and CBI Probe Remain Key Issues

The biggest point of disagreement remains the JSSC-CGL examination. Student representatives are demanding cancellation of the examination and a CBI investigation into the entire examination process.

Following Sunday's meeting, JMM minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said that the CGL examination had been conducted under the direct supervision of the High Court and Supreme Court. He argued that the state government does not have the authority to independently cancel the examination or directly order a CBI probe.

This issue has emerged as the major stumbling block between the government and the protesting students.

Heavy Security Deployed Around Assembly

With the students moving towards the Assembly, the Ranchi district administration has made extensive security arrangements in the area.

BNS Section 163 has been imposed within a 750-metre radius of the New Assembly complex, with the Jharkhand High Court excluded from the restriction.

Multiple layers of barricading have been installed to prevent protesters from reaching the Assembly premises. At the same time, student organisations have appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and not be influenced by rumours or provocation.

Protest Reaches Crucial Stage

The student movement has now reached a critical stage, with protesters continuing their march despite the security barricades. The unresolved demand for cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe remains at the centre of the standoff.

As the Assembly march continues, attention is now focused on how the administration responds and whether the government and student representatives can find a way to break the deadlock.