New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Union Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government over police action against the JPSC aspirants during the peaceful protest march against examination irregularities.
This came as the police lobbed tear gas shells on students as they breached barricades and closed in on the Assembly premises as the examination protests intensified in Jharkhand.
The students marched towards the Assembly premises despite heightened security arrangements in the area as their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations continued. Police carried out a lathi charge, fired tear gas and deployed water cannons after the protesters moved closer to the Assembly.
Speaking to IANS, MoS Seth said, “The way the Hemant Soren government adopted a repressive policy in Ranchi is unfortunate. These students were not creating any disturbance, were not being undisciplined, were not pelting stones, abusing the police, or behaving improperly with anyone.”
“These students were chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogans while marching peacefully towards the Assembly. Yet, you resorted to a lathi charge and used water cannons. This is unfortunate. You also lobbed tear gas on our daughters. Several students are currently in the hospital after suffering injuries due to the police action.”
The MoS said that by ordering police action against the protesting students, the Soren government “has put the final nail in your coffin”.
“The students just wanted a CBI and ED probe. Why can’t you order it? This is all because the government feared that big fish would be caught,” he said.
“From Day 1, we have been demanding the arrest of former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte; ultimately, he was arrested today. Why was it not done before? The students’ demands were genuine, so why delay the action?” he questioned.
However, the MoS said that the State government “won’t be able to suppress the students’ movement”.
“The students will forever remember this; they won’t forget. Instead of justice, they had to face a lathi charge. Jharkhand will surely give a strong answer for this,” he added.
–IANS
sd/rad
