Jharkhand SSC: Tight security as candidates protest over exam 'irregularities'

NEW DELHI: A large number of security forces have been deployed and barricades erected at all entry points to the Jharkhand Staff Service Commission (JSSC) office here in view of a proposed agitation by candidates over alleged malpractices in a recruitment examination held in September. The Ranchi administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNS within the 500-metre radius of the SSC office from 5.30 am on Saturday to 8 pm on December 20.

The candidates, under the aegis of Jharkhand State Students' Union (JSSU), had announced that they would gherao the JSSC office on Monday to stop the document verification exercise of the recruitment examination. The JSSC has called 2,231 shortlisted candidates for document verification between December 16 and 22. They qualified the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCE) in which 3.04 lakh candidates had appeared.

JSSU leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, "Despite the heavy security cover and prohibitory orders, the students are gathering near the JSSC office. Our prime objective is to stop the document verification exercise by the commission." He said thousands of candidates from all 24 districts have reached Ranchi and they would gherao the SSC office. Checking is being ensured at all entry points, and no one is being allowed to enter without checking, a police officer said.

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Students protest over exams

Ranchi administration, in an official statement on Sunday, said that it was ready to deal with the agitation. The administration also urged the students to avoid participating in any kind of aggressive demonstration. "Such activities not only create law and order problems but can also have a deep impact on their (agitating students) education, future and career," the release said.

Students have been protesting over the JGGLCC examinations, through which recruitment will be made in mostly junior-level posts in the government, alleging that widespread malpractices took place in the examinations. A mega demonstration happened outside the JSSC office on September 30, demanding the cancellation of the examination. The JSSC had set up a three-member committee to probe the allegations of malpractices, taking cognisance of the students' complaints. Dismissing the allegations, JSSC secretary Sudhir Gupta said the examination was conducted in a free and fair manner.