Jharkhand bandh: Ranchi police lathicharge students protesting exam delays

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the force. "The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong," he wrote on X. "The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately."

One injured protester, Shivam, told ANI: "We were sitting outside the Legislative Assembly, waiting for the government to come and provide a response. There was no sign of the government. The police arrived, and without any warning or prior exchange of words, they immediately started a lathicharge."

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto was admitted to Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after a nine-day hunger strike. He had participated in the march despite his deteriorating health.

The bandh is likely to disrupt transport and business in parts of the state. The student protests have been building for weeks over delays and alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level examination.