Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense, Factions Fire Shots At Each Other Ahead Of 6th Round Of Talks
News india Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense, Factions Fire Shots At Each Other Ahead Of 6th Round Of Talks Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense, Factions
News india Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense, Factions Fire Shots At Each Other Ahead Of 6th Round Of Talks Jharkhand Student Protest Turns Tense, Factions Fire Shots At Each Other Ahead Of 6th Round Of Talks Published By, Last Updated: August 09, 2026, 11:40 IST Jharkhand's student protest entered its 16th day amid alleged firing between two factions. The clash came ahead of the sixth round of talks with the government. Jharkhand's student agitation entered its 16th day amid tensions between protesting factions ahead of government talks. (Photo: PTI) The student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations has taken a fresh and serious turn, with two protesting groups allegedly firing shots at each other at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, according to a report by India Today. The development comes as the agitation entered its 16th day and just hours before the Jharkhand government was scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks with student representatives on Sunday. According to the report, tensions have escalated between the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been spearheading the agitation, and protesters associated with the camp of Jairam Mahato, also known as Tiger Mahato. FRICTION BETWEEN TWO STUDENT FACTIONS ESCALATES The report, citing sources close to the development, reported that the two factions have been unhappy with each other and that the differences have now escalated to the point where they are refusing to sit together for discussions. The report said the two groups allegedly fired shots at each other at the protest venue. The latest confrontation adds another layer of tension to an agitation that has already witnessed differences among various student organisations over the government’s approach to negotiations.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch had earlier accused the Jharkhand government of attempting to divide the protesting students by holding separate discussions with multiple student organisations. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SIXTH ROUND OF TALKS The development comes after the Jharkhand government held a series of meetings with different student groups on Saturday. According to news agency PTI, the government conducted four rounds of discussions with organisations including the Congress’ student wing NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Manch and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh. The government had also held a detailed meeting on Friday with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. With five rounds of talks failing to resolve the deadlock, the government decided to hold another round of discussions with student representatives at around noon on Sunday. Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the government panel had briefed Chief Minister Hemant Soren about the concerns and demands raised by different student delegations. “It was decided in the meeting with the chief minister that a final round of talks with the protesting students will take place at 12 pm on Sunday," she said, according to PTI. The government panel includes ministers Dipika Pandey Singh, Sudivya Kumar, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav. STUDENT GROUP ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF ‘POLITICAL MANOEUVRING’ The announcement of another round of talks, however, triggered a sharp response from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. Ravindra Paswan, a leader of the group, accused the government of “political manoeuvring", alleging that separate meetings with other student organisations were an attempt to create divisions within the larger agitation. “This is political manoeuvring by the government. It is trying to create a divide among students and divert attention. But they should know that all students are united," Paswan said at a press conference at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, according to PTI.
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