AMN
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday said that his government has “heard” the students protesting over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
In a lengthy social media note on X, CM Soren appealed to protesting students to resolve their issues with dialogue and assured them that action will be taken on their demands with “utmost seriousness and sensitivity.”
His remarks came hours after the Jharkhand police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse protesting students during their march to the state Assembly in Ranchi as part of their Vidhan Sabha gherao protest.
The Jharkhand government has accepted most of their demands, including the cancellation of three JPSC examinations.
A CID investigation is also underway in connection with the alleged irregularities.
However, the students have rejected the CID probe and maintained that their agitation will continue until the government orders a CBI investigation.
While Soren has said that his government has “heard” the students, he didn’t announce his government’s decision on the CBI probe, the remaining demand of the protestors.
BJP Calls for Jharkhand Bandh
The BJP announced a Jharkhand bandh on August 11 in protest against the police action against the students. The party said the shutdown would be held across the state and called on its workers and supporters to make it successful. According to the announcement, the bandh is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
BJP leaders condemned the alleged police action and said the government should address the grievances of job aspirants rather than attempt to suppress their democratic movement. The party has also demanded action against those responsible for the police action and pressed for a probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations.
The BJP’s decision is expected to increase political activity across Jharkhand on Tuesday, with party workers expected to mobilise in different districts.