RANCHI, 11 AUGUST

Normal life was affected in Jharkhand on Tuesday as BJP workers enforced a state-wide bandh in protest against the police action against job applicants during their march to the Assembly a day ago over irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Most schools and business establishments remained closed, while traffic was very low in capital Ranchi and other cities.

BJP workers blocked roads in Kishorganj, Argora and Kanke area in Ranchi. They also burnt tyres at Harmu Chowk and Kishorganj Chowk.

The shutdown, announced after the police used water cannons, tear gas shells and batons against protesters in Ranchi on Monday, was being observed from 8 am to midnight, with essential services kept outside its purview, BJP state president Aditya Sahu said.

The BJP described the police action as "atrocities" against students and accused the JMM-led government of using force instead of addressing their grievances.

The party backed the protesters' demand for an independent probe into the irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and the JSSC.

Meanwhile, the protest by students against irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams entered the 18th day on Tuesday.

ASSEMBLY ADJOURNED

BJP MLAs created ruckus in the Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday over THE baton charge on students, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House twice.

BJP MLAs raised slogans against the JMM-led government’s action against protesting job applicants.

Despite repeated requests by Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato, the BJP legislators continued their protests. Mahato adjourned the proceedings twice, first till noon and the second till 2 pm.

As the House reassembled after noon, the Leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, sought Chief Minister Hemant Soren's response on the atrocities on students. — PTI