Thousands of job seekers protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams clashed with police near the state Assembly on Monday. Security forces used water cannons, tear gas shells and baton charges to prevent the crowd from reaching the legislature. Demonstrators carried the national flag and placards calling for cancellation of the exams and an independent inquiry. They broke through multiple barricades despite a large security presence. Several participants reported injuries from the police response. The protest occurred while the Jharkhand Assembly was in session and on the same day as Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s 51st birthday. The march started around 10:30 a.m. from the old Assembly building and moved toward the current complex. Protesters passed successive barricades until they reached the final one near Jagannathpur Temple, where water cannons were deployed. Tensions rose when demonstrators tried to advance further. Police then used baton charges and fired tear gas rounds when the group was about 200 metres from the Assembly. Several protesters said officers struck them on the head, arms and faces. One participant from Hazaribag claimed he received a head injury. The agitation, organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, has lasted more than two weeks. Participants demand reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, cancellation of multiple recruitment tests including the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and an independent probe by the CBI or retired high court judges from outside the state. The government has so far agreed to cancel only three of the 13 exams the group wants scrapped. Placards displayed during the march called for cancellation of JSSC-CGL exams or a CBI investigation. A leader on hunger strike for nine days joined the march by ambulance and participated on a stretcher while holding a portrait of a former chief minister. He stated the movement would continue until demands are met and described it as having become a mass movement.
