Ranchi, July 22 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers and BJP supporters on Wednesday laid siege to the headquarters of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) in Ranchi, demanding the cancellation of the Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination over alleged irregularities.
The protest led to a confrontation between demonstrators and police, with activists attempting to breach barricades and march towards the Commission’s office.
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu and BJYM state president Shashank Raj led the protest.
Thousands of party workers and competitive examination aspirants from across Jharkhand gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in the morning before marching towards the JPSC headquarters.
Anticipating unrest, the administration had deployed a heavy police contingent, Rapid Action Team personnel, and senior officials around the Commission’s office. Multiple layers of barricading were set up, while water cannons and anti-riot units were kept on standby to handle any untoward situation.
As protesters moved towards the JPSC office, they attempted to break through the barricades, leading to a heated face-off with security personnel. Scenes of pushing and jostling prevailed for some time before the situation was brought under control.
The protesters alleged that the entire process of the 14th Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination was shrouded in suspicion. They claimed that the results were declared without publishing the cut-off marks, that the merit list did not bear the signatures of competent authorities, and that candidates had not been provided access to their OMR sheets.
They demanded complete transparency in the examination process.
BJP leaders further alleged that serious irregularities were indicated by the recent CID raids on the JPSC headquarters and on the agency that conducted the examination, as well as by the resignation of the Commission’s chairman.
They demanded immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and the conduct of a fresh test. The party also reiterated its demand for a CBI probe.
Addressing the gathering, BJP leaders accused the state government of jeopardising the future of thousands of young aspirants. They said controversies surrounding competitive examinations had become frequent in Jharkhand, eroding candidates’ trust in the Commission. The leaders warned of intensifying the agitation if the government failed to act swiftly.
The state government, however, maintained that complaints related to the examination results are being taken seriously and that the matter has already been referred to the CID for investigation. It has assured strict action against anyone found guilty.
–IANS
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