Opposition leader calls for normalising traffic as student agitation continues
RANCHI: Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Thursday urged the state government to remove barricades placed on Ranchi’s busy Kanke Road as security measures around the chief minister’s residence were stepped up ahead of Independence Day and a possible protest march by agitating students.
Marandi said the roadblocks were causing "severe inconvenience to commuters, schoolchildren and vehicles providing essential services" and asked the administration to restore normal movement. The students' protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 20th day on Thursday, with agitators steadfastly continuing their demand for redressal.
"In the name of securing the chief minister's residence, main roads and the extremely busy Kanke Road have been blocked, holding the entire capital's public life hostage," Marandi said in a social media post.
In his post, Marandi questioned why the government appeared to be fearful of a "peaceful" student movement and described the security deployment as an "unnecessary show of force" that was affecting ordinary citizens. He urged authorities to "immediately remove the barricades, normalise traffic, and set aside its ego to find a solution through dialogue with the students. Stop harassing the public!"
Immediate effects on city movement and services
The barricading around the CM residence on Kanke Road, one of Ranchi's principal thoroughfares, has been cited by the Opposition as the main cause of congestion and disrupted access to schools and essential services. While the administration has said security has been heightened, Marandi stressed the measures were disproportionate to the protest, which he described as democratic and peaceful.
- Commuter delays: Barricades on a major arterial road have reportedly lengthened travel times across parts of the capital.
- Impact on children: Schoolchildren using these routes are said to be facing difficulties in reaching institutions on time.
- Essential services: Vehicles providing emergency and routine services are being held up, according to the Opposition leader's statement.
What is confirmed and what remains unsettled
What is on record: Marandi publicly called for the removal of barricades and accused the state government of causing hardship to the public. The administration has increased security around the chief minister's residence in the run-up to Independence Day and amid the students' agitation.
What is not detailed in the available reporting: any official response from the Ranchi administration or Home Department to Marandi's demand, the precise number or placement of barricades, and whether any formal communication has taken place between authorities and the student organisers since the protest began. The students' movement is reported to be continuing until their demands are met.
| Event | Status (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Students' protest over alleged recruitment irregularities | 20th day and ongoing |
| Security at CM residence and road barricading | Heightened ahead of Independence Day; Kanke Road barricaded |
Opposition leaders and civic groups often urge administrations to balance security measures with citizens' right to free movement, and the current complaint from the LoP underscores that tension. The students' agitation over recruitment exams has been a persistent issue in the state capital and remains unresolved publicly.
Marandi's appeal frames the barricades as an avoidable imposition on daily life and calls for dialogue between the government and the protesters. The administration's stated reason for the heightened security is to protect the chief minister's residence during a sensitive period; whether the barriers will be adjusted to ease public inconvenience remains to be seen.
Until an official reply is issued by the Ranchi administration or Home Department, the situation is likely to continue drawing public attention as both the Independence Day period and the students' agitation proceed.
