CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke speaks to Devendra Mahto: ‘He told me he was lathi-charged’

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday night expressed support for Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, and condemned alleged police action against protesters in Ranchi.

Dipke spoke to Mahto over a video call after the student leader was admitted to Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital following Monday’s ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march. Mahto, who leads the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), had joined the march despite his deteriorating health.

Students and job aspirants have been protesting in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Sharing a screenshot of his video call with Mahto on Instagram, Dipke said the student leader told him he had been lathi-charged and injured during the protest. He also said Mahto was experiencing chest pain.

“Be it Jantar Mantar or Jharkhand, such police brutality against students is cruel and inhuman,” Dipke said, adding that the CJP stood firmly with Mahto and his movement. He described the student leader as a “true hero”.

Protest turns chaotic

Monday’s march to the Jharkhand Assembly turned chaotic after protesters and police clashed. Security forces used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Several protesters alleged they were injured during the police action, while police claimed a section of demonstrators became violent and pelted stones at security personnel.

An injured protester, identified as Shivam, alleged that around 100 young people were subjected to lathi-charge. He claimed police acted without warning after protesters gathered outside the Assembly waiting for government representatives to respond to their demands.

Another protester, Vikram Kumar, criticised the Hemant Soren government, saying the demonstrators had been protesting peacefully when police suddenly resorted to a lathi-charge.

Police defend use of force

Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri defended the police action, saying only “mild, minimum force” was used after a stone was thrown at a security personnel and another jawan was allegedly at risk of being crushed by the crowd.

Bhajantri said the students had begun an indefinite protest on July 24 without permission and were later shifted to Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on July 28 following a request to relocate the demonstration because of upcoming events.

He said police had exercised restraint throughout the protests and repeatedly appealed to demonstrators to disperse. However, after alleged attempts by some “anti-social elements” to provoke security personnel and after protesters refused to move, police used mild force to restore order, he said.

BJP calls statewide bandh

Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu announced a statewide bandh for Tuesday in support of the protesting students, alleging “injustice and atrocities” against them.

Sahu accused the government of failing to address allegations of job irregularities and examination paper leaks and criticised the police action during Monday’s protest.

He alleged that tear gas and other projectiles were used against protesters, leaving hundreds injured.

Ranchi DC Bhajantri urged people to observe the bandh peacefully in coordination with the district administration and police, warning that action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order or incite violence.