Jharkhand New Recruitment Policy Row: Students' Union Calls For Jharkhand Bandh, Police Forces Deployed

The Jharkhand Students' Union has called for a Jharkhand Bandh today amid the ongoing row over Jharkhand’s New Recruitment Policy.

Jharkhand Students' Union calls for Jharkhand Bandh (Representational Image)

Source : Getty

In the wake of the ongoing tussle between students and the Jharkhand government over the state’s new recruitment policy, the Jharkhand Students' Union (JSU) has now called for Jharkhand bandh today, April 19, 2023. Several police forces have been deployed across the district. Following the developments and the tension around the city, Ranchi City SP Sudhanshu Jain has said that “Police forces have been deployed across the district. Patrolling and CCTV surveillance is being done. We will only take action against students if required.”

Notably, the Jharkhand Students’ Union started a three-day agitation against the CM Hemant Soren led government's new 60:40 recruitment policy. According to the new recruitment policy, 60% seats in recruitment drives in the states shall be reserved for candidates belonging to the categories from the state. The remaining 40% of seats shall be open to other candidates. The protesting students group has been demanding a 100% reservation for locals in state government jobs. 

Earlier yesterday, April 18, 2023, several students protesting against the new recruitment policy outside the CM’s residence were arrested by the city police. The police took action to maintain law and order in the area. Sudhanshu Jain, SP City Ranchi confirmed ABP Live about the detention of students. "The situation in the area is now normal, as the students protesting against the new recruitment policy have moved to Morabadi ground and are protesting peacefully," said SP City Ranchi.

The Jharkhand State Students' Union organized the protest after the state cabinet amended various rules of the Jharkhand State Selection Commission (JSSC) exams on March 3. The state government had conducted a survey among 7.34 lakh job aspirants in the state, seeking support for implementing the recruitment policy that existed before 2016, which led to the protest.

As per the new policy, the state government has also reserved 100% of the seats in Grade III and Grade IV jobs for local residents in 13 out of the 14 districts falling under Schedule V of the constitution. The provision is aimed at safeguarding the rights of the tribal communities.