'Will face batons': JPSC-JSSC aspirants remain defiant

Ranchi police resorted to baton charges for the third time on Monday evening to disperse JPSC-JSSC aspirants protesting outside the Jharkhand Assembly. Demonstrators vowed to continue their agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive exams and demanded a CBI probe. The protest was organized by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, which expressed outrage over the police's heavy-handed response.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike, alleged that women participants were also subjected to police action. The government offered the Mahila Samman Yojana, but protesters accused officials of brutally assaulting mothers and sisters. Mahato questioned the credibility of the investigation, stating that exams are conducted with candidates sitting in places like Nepal.

Several protesters alleged that they were beaten during the police action, with male officers targeting women. The incident damaged their faith in the police administration, they claimed.