Indian Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannon to Disperse Youth Protesters in Jharkhand
BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - Police in eastern India used tear gas, water cannon and batons on Monday to disperse thousands of young protesters marching toward the state legislature in Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state, in the latest outbreak of demonstrations over alleged irregularities in civil service recruitment exams.
The protests, led by students and unemployed youth in Jharkhand, one of India's poorer states, began on July 25 and intensified after thousands gathered at a stadium in the state capital. Demonstrators accuse authorities of tolerating malpractices that include leaked question papers and faulty selection processes. They are demanding an overhaul of the state's examination system, cancellation of some tests and an investigation by federal police.
Television footage showed protesters climbing over police barricades, pushing against them and scuffling with officers. Some carried placards and waved the national flag while shouting slogans amid heavy security. Police said they used minimal force after some demonstrators turned violent.
“We showed minimal aggression for a really short time because they are just students,” Ranchi police chief Paras Rana told ANI news agency. “I appeal to everyone to be peaceful and not be violent. Your demands are reaching the government, do not show aggression.”
The Ranchi clashes are the latest sign of youth anger that has been spreading across India over corruption in education, scarce opportunities and unemployment. In Delhi last month, weeks of protests over exam paper leaks and recruitment irregularities led to the resignation of federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police and paramilitary forces there used tear gas, pellet guns and batons to break up about 50,000 demonstrators, some of whom clashed with officers.
Jharkhand's state government, led by a regional party opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has held talks with the protesters. It said most of their demands had been accepted and that it was open to further dialogue.
The growing protests have made recruitment transparency a central political issue in India, where millions of young people compete for a limited number of government jobs. With the federal education ministry and state governments both facing questions over exam oversight, how authorities respond will likely shape public trust in the fairness of public recruitment.