Case against 600 protestors, including 500 unidentified students, in Jharkhand stir

Police have filed cases against 600 protesters over Thursday's march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, including 100 named and 500 unidentified students and others. The students have been protesting recruitment exam irregularities for 20 days, demanding reforms, cancellations and an independent probe.Police have filed cases against 600 protesters over Thursday’s march towards the Jharkhand Assembly.Police have registered an FIR against 600 protesters in connection with the march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Thursday. The case names 100 protesters, while 500 unidentified students and other protesters have also been booked.The students' protest over irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 20th day on Thursday, with the agitators refusing to call off the stir until their demands are met.The 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch' has been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several tests and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.Tensions rose during the protesters' march towards the Assembly on Monday, when security personnel used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the agitators. The BJP subsequently observed a statewide bandh over the police action. Former chief minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday threatened to go on a hunger strike if the demand for a CBI probe was not fulfilled within a week. The ABVP has also announced protests at more than 1,200 universities over the issue.Das has sought compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of 19 people who died during the 2024 excise constable physical examination. ABVP leaders have questioned the credibility of the state-appointed SIT investigating the alleged irregularities, citing repeated changes in its composition.The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand of suppressing the movement. The Congress, however, accused the BJP of politicising the students' agitation and claimed that it brought workers from outside the state to disrupt the protests.Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike and is undergoing treatment at a hospital after his health deteriorated, sought permission from the Ranchi civil surgeon to return to the protest site. Mahto said his "soul" remained with the students' movement.Four students on hunger strike were also receiving treatment at a hospital.Earlier, six rounds of talks between the government and student representatives failed to end the deadlock.Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that his government is committed to recruitment exam reforms. He has assured protesters that the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled, while accusing the BJP of using the agitation for political gains.- EndsPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 12:19 IST