Ranchi, August 15: Jharkhand activist Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, on Saturday alleged that police prevented him from leaving a hospital to participate in an Independence Day Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi.
Mahto has been undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital since August 10 after his health reportedly deteriorated during the ongoing agitation by students and government-job aspirants.According to Mahto, he was stopped by security personnel when he attempted to leave the hospital to join the march at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where he also wanted to hoist the national flag.
A video circulating on social media purportedly showed a security official blocking Mahto’s path as members of his organisation urged the personnel to allow him to proceed. The exact circumstances of the confrontation could not be independently verified.
Mahto later claimed that he was pushed and shoved during the incident and suffered an injury to his chest. He said he was undergoing medical examination and treatment.The activist questioned the decision to prevent him from leaving the hospital and said that if doctors had advised him against going outside, the authorities should provide such instructions in writing.
He also threatened to lodge a police complaint against those who stopped him if no written medical order was produced.Mahto has been on hunger strike since August 2 in support of students and job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).He also alleged that attempts were being made to weaken or divert the students’ agitation, which has continued for several weeks.
Mahto said an inquiry committee had been formed and that the government had begun considering some of the protesters’ concerns, but maintained that their demands had not yet been fully addressed.The students’ movement has been seeking greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment process and action over alleged irregularities.
The confrontation took place as students and job aspirants held a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi on Independence Day to press for reforms in the examination system.The incident adds to the tensions surrounding the ongoing recruitment examination protest, even as the state government has indicated that reforms are being considered to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the recruitment process.
