Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke spoke to Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto over a video call on Monday night, hours after Mahto was admitted to a Ranchi hospital following a protest march.
Mahto has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The student leader, who is associated with the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), had joined the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march despite his health condition. He was later admitted to Sadar Hospital in Ranchi.
Dipke claims Mahto suffered injuries
Sharing a screenshot of the video call on Instagram, Dipke said Mahto told him that he was subjected to a lathi charge before being taken to hospital.
"Spoke to Devendra Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 9 days. He told me that before being taken to the hospital, he was lathi-charged by the police and suffered injuries. He is also experiencing chest pain," Dipke wrote.
Condemning the alleged police action, the CJP founder said, "Be it Jantar Mantar or Jharkhand, such police brutality against students is cruel and inhuman."
Dipke also expressed support for Mahto and described him as a "true hero", praising his role in the ongoing protest.
Protest march turns tense
The march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday witnessed clashes between protesters and police. Security personnel used lathicharge, water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Protesters alleged that police action left several people injured. One injured protester, Shivam, claimed that at least "100 young people" were subjected to lathi charges.
"We were sitting outside the Legislative Assembly, waiting for the government (officials) to come and provide a response, but there was no sign of the government. However, the police arrived, and without any warning or prior exchange of words, they immediately started a lathi charge," Shivam told ANI.
Another protester, Vikram Kumar, said, "Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not even hurl any abuses. Suddenly, the police launched a lathi charge. This is not good."
Police say force was used after stone pelting
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri defended the police response, describing it as "mild force".
He said police maintained restraint but were forced to act after a stone was allegedly thrown at a jawan and another officer was reportedly caught in the crowd.
"Amidst this, certain anti-social elements attempted to provoke the police and officials; a stone was thrown at a jawan, and another jawan was being crushed by the crowd, placing his life in danger. Consequently, the police used mild force to rescue the jawan," the DC said.
Bhajantri added that protesters were repeatedly asked to disperse before police intervened.
BJP announces statewide bandh
The Jharkhand BJP has called for a statewide bandh on Tuesday over the alleged police action against protesting students.
State BJP president Aditya Sahu accused the government of injustice towards students and said, "That is why, in their support, BJP workers will take to the streets tomorrow and bring Jharkhand to a standstill."
Bhajantri urged people to observe the bandh peacefully and warned of action against anyone attempting to disrupt law and order.