Ranchi: The JPSC-JSSC student protest in Jharkhand intensified on Monday as job aspirants broke through the first police barricade while marching towards the State Assembly in Ranchi. At the same time, BJP leaders protesting outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence were detained by police, including Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi.

Security was tightened around the Assembly as hundreds of protesting aspirants advanced towards the premises. Police had put up barricades near the old Assembly building to stop the march, leading to a face-off between the protesters and security personnel.

The students eventually broke through the first barricade and continued advancing towards the Assembly.

Babulal Marandi detained during BJP protest

While the students marched towards the Assembly, BJP leaders staged a separate protest outside the Chief Minister's residence over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations.

Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi was detained by police during the protest.

Marandi accused the government of attempting to divert attention from the students' agitation and called for a CBI investigation into the examinations.

"Students are continuing their protest but the Government is distracting people. JPSC-JSSC-CGL: all of these should be investigated by the CBI," Marandi said.

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Students seek CBI probe into exams

The student protesters said the barricades were being used to prevent them from reaching the Vidhan Sabha but maintained that they wanted to convey their demands peacefully.

A student protester said the students hoped the barricades would be removed and that they would continue their march with "patience and goodwill".

"We hope that the government will listen to us. Whatever is happening with the Jharkhand JPSC and Jharkhand CGL examinations should be stopped immediately and the matter should be handed over to the CBI," the protester said.

The agitation has been organised by job aspirants affiliated with the JPSC JSSC Reform Manch. The protesters are seeking action over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The students are demanding transparent recruitment practices, a CBI probe and structural reforms in the examination and recruitment process.