BJP calls statewide bandh in Jharkhand following police action on student protesters

The Bharatiya Janata Party announced a statewide bandh in Jharkhand on Tuesday in response to police actions taken against student protesters in Ranchi on Monday. During a march toward the state assembly, police utilized water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charges to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several protesters and four police officers. The state administration placed police on high alert, deploying approximately 3,000 personnel to maintain order during the shutdown.

The protests, which have continued for over 18 days, stem from allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission recruitment processes. Aspirants are demanding reforms and a CBI investigation into the examinations. While the state government has previously cancelled certain exams and agreed to an ED investigation, the protesters maintain their demand for a central probe, leading to ongoing tensions between the student groups and the state government.