Ranchi: Groups protesting against various issues at Morhabadi ground have refused to follow the Ranchi district administration order to leave the site immediately or face action under the stringent Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. Several protesting groups, including those seeking jobs in Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP), candidates who cleared Jharkhand Teachers’ Eligibility Test and prospective panchayat sachivs, have been camping at the ground for several days.
In a notice issued on Monday and handed over to representatives of the protesters, Ranchi SDO Sameera S ordered them to vacate the site immediately. The representatives were also directed to read out the order to others at the ground. She said, “Such demonstrations cannot be permitted while the Covid pandemic is raging in the city. The protesters have been told to defer their dharna and leave the ground at once.”
Anand Roshan, a protester seeking a job as a panchayat sachiv, said, “The administration is saying that a group of 50 people sitting on a dharna maintaining social distancing will spread the virus, but it remains silent on the large political processions and meetings taking place regularly. We will not budge from this spot.”
Gaurav Kumar, a JAP aspirant, said, “While we are being told to vacate the ground, a larger group of people staged a protest for a separate Sarna code without the administrative permission or intervention.” Notably, while JAP aspirants are demanding publication of the second merit list and appointment, the panchayat sachiv and JTET passed candidates are demanding jobs.