Ranchi: The Ranchi district administration is preparing comprehensive security measures to tackle the students' protest scheduled at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) office on Monday.
The protesters, all aspirants of the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCE) 2023, decided to stage the demonstration at the JSSC office, demanding cancellation of the exams after citing alleged irregularities, including question paper leaks. JSSC has, however, rubbished the allegations.
On Saturday, Ranchi range DIG Anup Birtharay and SP (rural) Sumit Kumar Agrawal reviewed the administrative preparations at the JSSC office.
The authorities have allocated 700 additional personnel to Ranchi district to maintain peace during the protest with water cannons and tear gas teams positioned at the site. Surveillance will be conducted using drones, CCTV cameras and video-recording equipment.
Officials have communicated with the student leaders and coaching institute owners involved in the protest to maintain peace.
Meanwhile, the Ranchi district administration has implemented Section 163 of the BNSS within 500 metres of the JSSC campus, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people. The order would be effective from 5:30 am on Saturday until December 20, with barricades installed to restrict the protestors.
JSSC secretary Sudhir Kumar Gupta on the other hand defended the examinations' integrity, dismissing social media allegations of misconduct as unfounded.
Regarding undisclosed cut-off marks, Gupta explained that document verification was ongoing and marks would be announced after the results. He refuted claims about non-local candidates, stating that 96% of qualified candidates are from Jharkhand, with 83.5% belonging to SC, ST, economically backward class and backward class categories. On rumours of question paper leaks, he said no substantial evidence had been presented and previous video evidence showed edited timestamps.
Gupta revealed that JSSC officials have received threatening emails over the issue. The emails included warnings of violence, which have been reported to police. Meanwhile, chief minister Hemant Soren has directed the criminal investigation department to examine these allegations.