Jharkhand Student Protest Day 17: Assembly March Today as JPSC-JSSC Row Deepens

The student agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations entered its 17th day on Monday as protesters prepared to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi. The mobilisation comes after talks between student representatives and the state government failed to produce a final agreement on key demands. A large number of students from different parts of Jharkhand have been reaching Ranchi by buses and trains to participate in the planned Assembly march. Protesters are expected to gather near the gate of the old Assembly building before proceeding on foot towards the new Assembly complex. Police have made extensive security arrangements in view of the proposed march. Barricades reinforced with barbed wire have reportedly been installed around half a kilometre before the Assembly, while a large number of police personnel have been deployed in the area. Ranchi Police has said that peaceful protesters should not face unnecessary inconvenience and that appropriate legal action would be taken if anyone attempts violence. Authorities are also closely monitoring the movement of students arriving from outside Ranchi. The students had announced the Assembly march after negotiations with the government failed to resolve their major concerns. While some issues were reportedly discussed during the latest round of talks, disagreement continues over the JSSC CGL examination and the demand for a CBI investigation into alleged examination irregularities.