Protests Over Recruitment Irregularities Lead to Multiple FIRs in Jharkhand
Three first information reports (FIRs) have been filed in Jharkhand's Giridih and Hazaribag districts against 28 named and 900 unnamed individuals following clashes between job aspirants and police, according to ThePrint. The protests, which turned violent over the weekend, were part of ongoing demonstrations against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Violent Clashes at Gandhi Maidan
On Friday, thousands of students gathered at Gandhi Maidan in Hazaribag to burn an effigy of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, leading to a scuffle with police, as reported by ThePrint. India Today added that the protests turned violent when demonstrators attempted to burn effigies of the Chief Minister, escalating tensions in the region.
Details of the FIRs in Hazaribag
In Hazaribag, an FIR was registered at Korra police station against 18 named accused and 700 unnamed individuals for allegedly obstructing government work and assaulting policemen during the August 21 protest. Hazaribag Sadar DSP Rupak Kumar Singh confirmed that the case was filed based on a complaint by Sadar Circle Officer Ashutosh Kumar (ThePrint; India Today).
Korra police station officer-in-charge Nemdhari Rajak said no arrests have been made so far, but police are analyzing CCTV and video footage to identify the miscreants. Eight police personnel, including four sub-inspectors who are officers-in-charge of Korra, Lohsinghna, Sadar, and Bada Bazar police stations, were injured in the clash (India Today; ThePrint). The accused have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assaulting police, obstructing government staffers, and unlawful assembly.
Giridih FIRs Target JMM Leaders and Others
In Giridih, two FIRs were registered at Giridih Town police station. The first, based on a complaint by ABVP activist Anish Rai, names 11 people, including JMM district president Sanjay Singh, and 20 unidentified individuals. The second FIR, lodged on the application of Sadar Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar Singh, names around 10 people and 200 unidentified individuals (ThePrint; India Today).
The accused face charges for allegedly attempting to halt traffic at five locations, clashing with police while trying to burn an effigy of the Chief Minister, and using abusive language against him (India Today; ThePrint).
Political Reactions and Allegations of Harassment
JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leaders have alleged that the government is harassing them, with several members named in FIRs in both Ranchi and Hazaribag. Piyush Kumar Singh, one of the named members, questioned how he and two others—Kunal Prata Singh and Ravindra Prasad—could be present at both locations simultaneously, according to ThePrint.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has demanded the government withdraw the FIRs, saying, "Fill up the jails" if it fails to recall them. Aishe Ghosh, who also condemned the FIRs, said, "We condemn any form of brutality and atrocity on students in Jharkhand," and emphasized that students have legitimate demands and the government should engage in dialogue (India Today; ThePrint).
Police Advisory and High Court Context
In response to the unrest, Jharkhand police issued an advisory on Sunday requiring organizers to obtain prior permission for dharnas, demonstrations, processions, rallies, and public meetings, while appealing to the public not to believe rumors (India Today; ThePrint).
The situation unfolds amid a series of judicial interventions, with the Jharkhand High Court staying notifications that cancelled CDPO appointments and JSSC-CGL recruitment, as well as the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations and food safety officer appointments (India Today; ThePrint). Student leaders have accused the state government of deceiving and betraying job aspirants, adding to the growing tensions.