Violent scuffles broke out between student agitators and police forces in Ranchi as demonstrations over widespread irregularities in government recruitment examinations entered their third week. Several protesters and police personnel sustained injuries during clashes near Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence after demonstrators tried to breach police barricades.
The escalation came as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) intensified its crackdown on the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) paper leak and OMR tampering scandal.
Investigators have arrested JPSC Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta alongside key technical staff and examination agency executives.
High Voltage Clashes Near Chief Minister’s Residence
Tensions peaked in the state capital when student groups, including members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), organized a march toward the Chief Minister’s official residence.
Police deployed heavy barricading, water cannons, and security cordons across major intersections to stop the crowd.
As demonstrators pushed against security barriers, police resorted to baton charges and mild force to push back the crowd. Several student activists received minor injuries during the commotion, while security officers were injured by stone-pelting and pushing from the agitated crowd.
Police detained nearly a dozen protest leaders at the scene to restore order.
CID Arrests Top Officials and Exam Agency Executives
Simultaneously, the CID made major breakthroughs in its ongoing criminal investigation into the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
Law enforcement officers arrested Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta, computer operator Dharmendra Kumar, and administrative assistant Sonu Kumar following multi-day interrogations.
Investigators also took into custody top leadership from TSR Data Processing Private Limited, the private firm contracted to conduct the recruitment exams.
Total arrests in the case reached 19, including agency directors, middleman operators, and candidates who fraudulently cleared the test.
Talks Fail as Agitating Students Demand Complete Exam Cancellation
Government attempts to resolve the crisis through dialogue failed to break the deadlock.
A five-member ministerial panel held talks with student leaders, including JPSC-JSSC Candidates’ Forum leader Devendra Nath Mahto, but representatives rejected government proposals for administrative reform committees.
Student organizations maintain that demonstrations will continue across the state until the government completely cancels the contested examinations and hands the probe over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Meanwhile, medical teams remain on standby as several student leaders on hunger strikes face deteriorating health conditions.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
