Jharkhand Police have intensified their action against those allegedly involved in violence during recent protests by job aspirants, with fresh FIRs registered in Hazaribag and Giridih.
The protests have been centred on allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations and opposition to government decisions concerning appointments. Tensions escalated when demonstrators attempted to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, leading to clashes between protesters and police.
Three fresh FIRs have now been registered against 39 named individuals and more than 900 unidentified people in connection with the incidents, officials said.
The cases follow three FIRs registered in Ranchi a day earlier against 14 named people and 200 unidentified persons over allegations of obstructing government work and clashing with police.
FIR against 718 People in Hazaribag
In Hazaribag, Korra Police registered an FIR against 18 named individuals and 700 unidentified people over violence during an attempt to burn the Chief Minister’s effigy on August 21.
Hazaribag Sadar DSP Rupak Kumar Singh said the case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Sadar Circle Officer Ashutosh Kumar.
According to Korra police station officer-in-charge Nemdhari Rajak, eight police personnel were injured during the clash. The injured personnel included four sub-inspectors serving as officers-in-charge of the Korra, Lohsinghna, Sadar and Bada Bazar police stations.
Those booked have been charged under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault on police personnel, obstruction of public servants and unlawful assembly.
Police have not made any arrests or detentions so far. Investigators are examining CCTV recordings and other video footage to identify people allegedly involved in the violence.
Two FIRs registered in Giridih
Two more FIRs were registered at Giridih Town Police Station in connection with clashes that took place on Friday (August 21) and Saturday (August 22).
Thousands of students had gathered at Gandhi Maidan on Friday as part of their protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The protesters planned to burn an effigy of the Chief Minister, following which a scuffle broke out when police attempted to intervene.
The first FIR was filed on the complaint of ABVP activist Anish Rai against JMM leaders and workers. Eleven people, including JMM district president Sanjay Singh, were named, while 20 others were listed as unidentified.
The second case was registered on the complaint of Sadar Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar Singh. Around 10 people were named and 200 others were listed as unidentified.
Police have alleged that the accused attempted to block traffic at five locations, clashed with police personnel while trying to burn the Chief Minister’s effigy and used abusive language against him.
Protesters allege targeting through FIRs
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has accused the state government of targeting members of the protest movement through multiple FIRs.
Manch leader Piyush Kumar Singh claimed that he, Kunal Prata Singh and Ravindra Prasad had been named in cases registered in both Ranchi and Hazaribag.
Questioning the allegations, Singh asked how the individuals could have been present at both locations simultaneously.
The police action has also drawn criticism from political and student organisations. Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi demanded that cases against the protesting students be withdrawn.
Marandi urged young protesters not to be afraid of arrest if the government did not withdraw the FIRs.
Former JNU Students’ Union president and SFI national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh also criticised the police action during an SFI-led march. She said students had legitimate demands and called for dialogue instead of FIRs and intimidation.
Police issue advisory to protest organisers
Amid the escalating protests, Jharkhand Police on Sunday issued an advisory asking organisers to obtain prior permission for demonstrations, processions, rallies and public meetings.
Police also appealed to students and members of the public not to believe or circulate rumours.
The advisory comes as the recruitment-related dispute continues to intensify following recent interventions by the Jharkhand High Court.
High Court orders add to recruitment dispute
The protests have gained momentum after the Jharkhand High Court stayed state government notifications cancelling several recruitment exercises and appointments.
On Friday (August 21), the court stayed notifications cancelling the appointments of Child Development Project Officers and candidates recruited through the JSSC-CGL examination.
A day earlier, the court had stayed notifications cancelling the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations as well as appointments of food safety officers.
Student leaders have alleged that the government has misled job aspirants through its recruitment-related decisions. The government’s actions and the subsequent court interventions have consequently become a major point of contention between the protesting candidates and the authorities.
With fresh FIRs now covering more than 900 unidentified people in Hazaribag and Giridih, besides cases already registered in Ranchi, the recruitment protest has emerged as a widening law-and-order and political issue in the state.
