Protesters march to Jharkhand Assembly; 5 injured in clashes

Thousands of students and job aspirants from across Jharkhand marched towards the State Assembly in Ranchi on Monday (August 10, 2026), breaking through several barbed barricades and reaching the Assembly gates as their indefinite strike over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations entered its 17th day.

At least five protesters were injured, including one who suffered a head injury, after the police resorted to baton-charge and dispersed the crowd.

Also read: Jharkhand students protest updates on August 10, 2026

At present, the protesters are continuing their sit-in at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in the capital, seeking resolution of their demands.

The protesters are demanding cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination and a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. The march came a day after the Jharkhand government agreed to cancel three examinations, including the preliminary examination of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services.

Police and demonstrators clash during the march towards Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi, on August 10, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Suruchi Kumari

As the protest continued, former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte was arrested in connection with the investigation. Mr. Khiangte, a former Chief Secretary, resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22 after the State CID took over the probe. The Enforcement Directorate has also begun investigating the alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment examinations, including JSSC-CGL, after taking cognisance of a State CID FIR and other complaints under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The protest, which began around 10.30 a.m. near the old Assembly complex in Dhurwa, was largely peaceful initially. Carrying the Tricolour, placards and portraits of Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar, former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, and activist Nirmal Mahato, they walked towards the Assembly, chanting slogans against the government and demanding action. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who has been on a hunger strike for several days, was brought to the site on a stretcher. He followed the march in an ambulance for a brief while.

Tension arose after noon as protesters broke through barricades approached the new Assembly building, where the monsoon session was under way. The police then used water cannons, fired tear gas and resorted to baton-charge to disperse the crowd. Protesters retaliated by throwing bottles, slippers and shoes at the police. Several students also appeared unwell and some collapsed amid the intense heat.

Despite the police action, the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch and JLKM leaders said their protest will not end till their demands are met. The agitation continued into the night, with protesters holding a sit-in near the Assembly complex. The police again used batons to disperse them and began chasing protesters out of the area, according to volunteer Sudhir Mahto.

A large number of security personnel from the Jharkhand Police, Jharkhand Jaguar, the Rapid Action Force and district forces, along with riot-control vehicles, were deployed in the area.

City Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Aryan denied that the police had resorted to a “deliberate lathi-charge”. “No force was used but the police had to push back to control the crowd and ensure that no one is injured. We won’t call it lathi-charge,” he said.

Mr. Aryan said police personnel had been given strict instructions not to use force. He said tear gas was fired from the side to minimise its impact.

Ranchi Superintendent of Police Paras Rana said the police action came after the protesters pushed the barricades. “Two constables sustained head injuries and required sutures,” he said.

Despite the clashes, protesters described the march a success and said they would continue their agitation until their demands are met.