The Jharkhand CID arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chief L Khiangte on Monday [1].
The arrest follows intensifying student protests over alleged large-scale irregularities and job-scam manipulation in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations [2].
Protesters gathered in Ranchi near the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha to demand a full inquiry into the recruitment processes [3]. The demonstrations coincided with the arrest of Khiangte, whom authorities said played a role in the alleged irregularities [2].
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been leading the movement, including a hunger strike that lasted nine days [4]. Mahto reported a weight loss of 10.5 kg during the strike [4].
"No ‘mishap’ should happen there like Jantar Mantar," Mahto said [5].
Police responded to the march toward the state assembly with crowd-control measures. Reports indicate that Ranchi Police used water cannons and lathi charges to disperse the crowd [6].
Rahul Gandhi commented on the police response to the demonstrations. "Use of force against protesting students wrong," Gandhi said [7].
Security was beefed up across Ranchi as students continued to push for transparency in the state's civil service exams [1]. The CID's action against the former commission chief marks a significant escalation in the government's handling of the recruitment row [2].
“"No ‘mishap’ should happen there like Jantar Mantar."”
The arrest of a former commission head signals a shift toward criminal accountability in Jharkhand's recruitment disputes. By targeting high-level officials, the state may be attempting to quell widespread student unrest and restore public trust in the meritocracy of the JPSC and JSSC examinations.
