The FIR names JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leaders Kunal Pratap Singh, Piyush Kumar and Ravindra Paswan among others.
Published: August 22, 2026, 10:46 PM IST
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Security personnel detain a student during a protest at Firayalal Chowk in RanchiANI
Ranchi Police have lodged three FIRs against 14 named individuals and over 200 unidentified persons following a clash with JPSC-JSSC protesters in the Jharkhand capital on August 21, according to an official.
“Three FIRs have been registered against 14 named accused and over 200 unidentified persons at Kotwali police station in connection with Friday’s clash,” PTI news agency cited Ranchi City SP Paras Rana as sayingAmong those named are Kunal Pratap Singh, Piyush Kumar, and Ravindra Paswan – leaders of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which was spearheading the protest against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams.
The FIRs were registered on allegations of disrupting government work and engaging in clashes with police, PTI reportedThe protesting student leaders accused the state government of “deceiving” job seekers after the High Court stayed certain notifications cancelling appointments made through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations and the JSSC-CGL.
One FIR lodged by police, other two complaints by individuals
According to another official, police lodged one FIR against alleged miscreants for disrupting government duties and violating route-chart rulesThe remaining two were registered following complaints from individuals, PTI reported.
The FIRs come after a scuffle erupted on Friday when protesters attempted to burn effigies of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi, according to officialsJMM workers allegedly disrupted the students’ statewide effigy-burning campaign, triggering clashes in Ranchi, Hazaribag, Giridih and GarhwaA police lathicharge was also reported in Hazaribag.
Sanoj Choudhary, the officer in charge of Kotwali police station, said the protesters had violated the route set by the district administration, which led to the scuffleReforms Manch leader Kunal Singh, meanwhile, accused JMM workers of triggering the violence.
Also Read | ‘Tell us our crime’: Selected candidates hit streets as Jharkhand government scraps JSSC-CGL
On Friday, the Jharkhand High Court put a stay on notifications cancelling the appointments of CDPOs and those selected through the JSSC-CGL examThe previous day, it had stayed similar orders concerning appointments made through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations and the recruitment of food safety officers.
The High Court’s move came shortly after the JMM-led government gave in to the demands of students following their 26-day protest seeking cancellation of the examinationsReforms Manch, meanwhile, accused the government of creating a “legal drama” by putting up what it described as a weak defence in court.
