Ranchi, Aug 12 (IANS) Student protests over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations continued for the 19th consecutive day in Ranchi on Wednesday, with protesters maintaining that candidates from both examinations have been facing problems for a prolonged period. A protester alleged that senior police and administrative officials visited the protest site late on Tuesday night.“Last night, the SP, DC, SSP and other officials came here. They arrived at around 12:30 at night and stayed for around one and a half hours. They were separating all the students of JPSC and JSSC. We did not understand their intention or why they were separating us. We are protesting together because both groups are affected and have been suffering for a long time. It is not something that has been happening for one or two years. We feel that we have been suffering since this government came to power,” the protester told IANS.

Another protester said a large number of people had joined the demonstration and expressed concern over the deteriorating health of students staying at the protest site.“Many people have come, a lot of people have come here. Early in the morning, Babulal Marandi came here. A lot of discussions took place, and he spoke in front of the media about the students. So many people are sitting here, and their health is deteriorating,” the protester said.The agitation has also become a major political issue in the state, with the Opposition raising the recruitment examination controversy inside the Jharkhand Assembly. BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited the protesting students and spoke about their concerns.Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die earlier on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, following continuous disruptions, sloganeering and confrontations between ruling coalition and Opposition members over alleged irregularities in the JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations, police action against students and the statewide bandh called by the BJP.

The Assembly proceedings failed to function smoothly as members from both sides repeatedly engaged in protests and slogan-shouting. During the commotion, Minister Irfan Ansari raised slogans against BJP legislators, escalating tensions inside the House. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi attempted to address the House, but the uproar intensified, with several legislators from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition moving into the well of the House.

/IANS