JPSC protests: Activist Devendra Mahto hospitalised after 9-day hunger strike
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, was
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, was hospitalised after his health deteriorated following his participation in a march by protesting students on Monday. Doctors described Mahto’s condition as critical after his blood sugar level dropped "drastically". "He is being treated in the emergency ward," Nancy Priya, medical officer at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, told news agency PTI. Read Full Story Pankaj Kumar, an aide who was accompanying Mahto at the hospital, claimed that the JLKM leader was injured during a police lathi-charge near the Assembly. Several protesters and four policemen were injured in a clash near the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday as police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges to disperse job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, officials said. PROTESTERS CLASH WITH POLICE NEAR ASSEMBLY The march, which began around 10.30 am from outside the old Assembly building, turned tense after protesters breached multiple barricades while attempting to reach the Assembly.
Police used water cannons when the demonstrators reached Jagannathpur Temple. The situation escalated as protesters attempted to cross the final barricade, prompting police to resort to lathi-charge. Several rounds of tear gas shells were fired when the protesters came within around 200 metres of the Assembly. The protesters eventually breached the barricades and reached Gate No. 1 of the Assembly, where they staged a sit-in and refused to leave until their demands were addressed. Police subsequently carried out another round of lathi-charge. The agitation entered its 17th day on Monday and coincided with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's 51st birthday. PROTESTERS ALLEGE INJURIES, POLICE SAY 4 PERSONNEL HURT Several protesters alleged that they were injured in the police action, including women demonstrators. "The baton-charge was barbaric. We were protesting peacefully, but the government used batons against us. They can only inflict physical injuries, not harm our thoughts," protester Piyush Kumar Soni said. He alleged that several women students were injured. "Many girl students suffered injuries. Police hit us on our head, arms and face," he claimed.
Vikram Kumar, who came from Hazaribag district, also claimed to have suffered a head injury. Ranchi City SP Paras Rana, however, said four policemen were injured during stone pelting by protesters. "Three of them received head injuries... While the majority of the protesters were peaceful, about 15 per cent became unruly," Rana said. MAHTO VOWS TO CONTINUE AGITATION Before being hospitalised, Mahto accused the government of attempting to suppress the students' movement and said he would continue the agitation. "A government cannot be run with batons, bullets and guns. A government is run by keeping the people satisfied. Today is the 17th day of the Satyagraha. I have been on a hunger strike for nine days. They tortured me, too, and forcibly put me in an ambulance. But, I will continue this fight," Mahto said. He had earlier objected to the installation of barbed-wire barricades along the Assembly march route, saying anger was building among students over alleged injustice. "We will not hold any talks now," he said, alleging that the government was trying to suppress the students' voice.
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