- Thousands of students began marching to the State Assembly in Ranchi around 10 am from the old Assembly after talks with the Government failed.
- Despite barricades and barbed wires at about a dozen sites, the march was stopped near Jagannath Temple, about three kilometres from the Assembly, where a huge crowd gathered peacefully.
- Police used water cannons and a mild lathi charge when the crowd became uncontrollable, but some students found alternative routes and reached near the Vidhan Sabha.
- Police used tear gas shells at 3 pm to disperse the crowd, but the strategy failed as students broke the final barricade and reached Gate No 1 of the State Assembly.
- Protests continued at Gate No 1 till late evening, with students demanding talks with the Chief Minister; talks with officials failed.
- Police resorted to a lathi charge at Gate No 1, injuring several students, including Devendra Nath Mahto, leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Karantikari Morcha.
Jharkhand police faced off against thousands of student protesters on Monday as they marched towards the State Assembly in Ranchi, demanding reforms in the education system and the cancellation of public service examinations. The peaceful protest escalated when police employed lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The march began around 10 am from the old Assembly, but police barricades failed to stop the determined students. Despite the use of force, many protesters found alternative routes and reached near the Assembly, where they continued to voice their demands. “We want to talk to the Chief Minister,” they chanted, refusing to leave Gate No 1.167891011
As tensions rose, police intensified security measures, escorting Assembly employees and officials out through alternate exits. The situation deteriorated further, leading to a lathi charge that reportedly injured several students, including Jharkhand Loktantrik Karantikari Morcha Leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who required medical attention.
Despite attempts by Ranchi Sub Divisional Magistrate and ADM Law and Order to negotiate, talks failed, and protests persisted into the evening, highlighting the students' determination for dialogue and reform.
“The march began around 10 am from the old Assembly after talks with the government failed, and was stopped near Jagannath Temple about three kilometres from the Assembly. During the lathi charge at Gate No 1, several students were injured, including Jharkhand Loktantrik Karantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who was sent by ambulance for treatment.”
Daily Pioneer
