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Clashes broke out between protesting students and police in Ranchi and several other parts of Jharkhand on Friday evening as agitators tried to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, officials said.

Similar confrontations were reported in Hazaribag and Giridih, where Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) workers clashed with students attempting to burn effigies of Soren, reported.

The protesters, under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, have accused the Jharkhand government of “deceiving" and “betraying" job aspirants after the Jharkhand High Court stayed several notifications cancelling appointments linked to the 11th and 13th JPSC exams and the JSSC-CGL examination.

#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Student leader Ravindra Paswan says, “Our program to burn the effigy was pre-planned. We went there, but the ‘Jharkhand government’—hiding behind the police—sent goons in every district, and we will give a fitting reply. Lathi charges were being… https://t.co/pYyExmyev0 pic.twitter.com/TKIF8H1O6z— (@) August 21, 2026

Police said a large group of students gathered at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi to burn the effigies.

“They gathered in large number at the prominent Albert Chowk to burn effigies of CM Soren and Rahul Gandhi. When the police tried to control them, a scuffle broke out… JMM workers were also present at the spot," police said, as per a report.

Ranchi DSP KV Raman said the confrontation began after the protesters deviated from the designated route and disrupted traffic near the JPSC office.

“The students changed the route defined for the march and effigy burning… They went to the JPSC office and brought traffic to a halt there. The agitators did not listen to our repeated pleas to adhere to the designated route," Raman said.

Student leaders alleged that police and JMM workers tried to stop them from holding a peaceful march.

“The government is sending goons under the cover of the administration," JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan was quoted by saying.

Another student leader, Piyush Kumar Singh, alleged that police detained Kunal, a member of the Manch’s core committee. He said Kunal fainted after being detained and was later taken to Sadar Hospital.

The protesters also alleged that JMM workers assaulted female participants during the confrontation.

“Lathi charges were being carried out in every district, and the police were using force here as well; batons were being used, and two of our female colleagues were assaulted… Our sisters were dragged by their dupattas; attempts were made to tear their clothes, and they were beaten," Ravindra said.

The students had called off their agitation earlier this week after the Soren government announced the cancellation of JPSC examinations where irregularities had been alleged.

The Jharkhand High Court on Friday stayed notifications cancelling the appointments of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and candidates recruited through the JSSC-CGL examination.

A day earlier, the court had stayed notifications cancelling the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations. It had also stayed the order cancelling the appointments of food safety officers.

Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto announced a “Recruitment System Reforms Yatra" from August 24. He accused the Jharkhand government of failing to strongly defend cases related to the cancellation of recruitment examinations before the high court.

Mahto warned that if the government failed to effectively present its case during the September 15 hearing, the party would consider gheraoing the chief minister’s residence.

The Jharkhand government has opened a dialogue with protesting students and ministers have stated that their demands will be considered. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured students that their concerns will be addressed and justice will be provided based on the outcome of an investigation. He also encouraged students to communicate their problems directly and fearlessly to the government, promising that their voices would be heard.