Source The Hindu
Ranchi: Tensions escalated in Jharkhand on Tuesday as more than 100 workers affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad were detained during a march towards the State Assembly. The demonstration was part of a growing wave of protests by students demanding accountability for recent police action against student groups.
The protest, which began peacefully in Ranchi, saw hundreds of students and activists gathering to voice their concerns over alleged excessive force used by police during earlier demonstrations. The situation intensified as protestors attempted to move towards the Assembly building, prompting security forces to intervene and detain several participants.
Eyewitnesses reported heavy police deployment across key areas of the city, with barricades set up to prevent the march from reaching its destination. Protesters raised slogans against the state government, accusing it of suppressing student voices and ignoring their demands for a fair investigation into the police action.
Leaders from the ABVP condemned the detentions, calling them “undemocratic” and alleging that the government was trying to silence dissent. They demanded the immediate release of those detained and urged authorities to initiate a transparent probe into the incidents that triggered the protests.
Meanwhile, government officials defended the police action, stating that the measures were necessary to maintain law and order. A senior police official said that the protestors did not have permission to march towards the Assembly and had violated restrictions imposed in sensitive zones.
The unrest is part of a broader agitation in Jharkhand, where students have been protesting over various issues, including examination irregularities and demands for a fair inquiry into administrative decisions. The deadlock between student groups and the government has continued despite multiple rounds of talks, with no immediate resolution in sight.
As protests persist, political reactions have also intensified, with opposition parties criticizing the government’s handling of the situation. They have accused the administration of failing to engage constructively with students and instead resorting to force.
Authorities have urged students to maintain peace and engage in dialogue, while student organizations have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met. The situation remains tense, with further demonstrations expected in the coming days.
