Jharkhand protest: Devendra Mahto hospitalised; aide says injured in lathicharge

NEW DELHI: Devendra Mahto, on fast for the past 9 days over the "anomalies" in the government exams, was hospitalised after his health deteriorated during the planned march to assembly on Monday.Doctors described Mahto’s condition as critical, due to a “drastic” drop in his blood sugar level.“He is being treated in the emergency ward,” Nancy Priya, medical officer at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, told news agency PTI.Pankaj Kumar, an aide of Mahto who was with him in the hospital, claimed that he was injured during lathi-charge by police near the assembly.Several agitators and four policemen were injured during a clash near the Jharkhand assembly on Monday, as police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charged job aspirants protesting against the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, officials said.ALSO READ | Jharkhand students carry Mahto as police lathicharge, use water cannons, tear gas during marchPolice on Monday used water cannons, tear gas and resorted to a lathi charge as thousands of students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi. The protesters attempted to breach multiple layers of barricades as they advanced towards the Assembly.At least three people, including two protesters and a Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) personnel, were injured during the confrontation, according to officials. The protesters were taking part in the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha.Earlier in the day, Jharkhand students protesting irregularities in recruitment exams rejected the Hemant Soren-led government's claim that 98% of their demands have been accepted. They said only three of the 13 exams they wanted cancelled have been scrapped.The students accused the JMM-led government of “spreading lies” and said they would continue their peaceful protest.At a presser, a student leader said, “The Jharkhand government is spreading lies that it fulfilled 98 per cent of our demands. It cancelled only 3 of 13 exams sought by us.”The protesters are demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in all recruitment exams conducted by the state. Student leader Ravindra Paswan accused the government of insisting on a CID probe, which he claimed was known for “cover-ups”.ALSO READ | Jharkhand protesters defy tear gas, lathi charge to enter assembly premises - top developmentsGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.