Ranchi, Aug 11:
Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charged job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations after they breached multiple barricades and reached near the state Assembly on Monday.
Several protesters claimed they were injured, including women, during the police action near Jagannathpur Temple.
The demonstrators later breached the final barricade and staged a sit-in outside Assembly Gate No. 1, vowing to continue their protest until their demands were met.
The agitation, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, entered its 17th day and saw thousands of protesters carrying Tricolours and placards demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exams or a CBI probe.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike, also joined the march.
More than 1,500 security personnel were deployed along the route, with prohibitory orders imposed. The Assembly was adjourned for the day.
Protesters are demanding comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC, cancellation of several recruitment exams, including the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and an independent probe by the CBI or retired High Court judges.
The government said 95% of demands had been fulfilled, while protesters claimed only three of 13 exams were agreed to be cancelled.