Babulal Marandi Urges Removal Of Barricades Around Jharkhand CM’s Residence

Jharkhand Assembly Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Thursday urged the state government to remove barricades placed on Ranchi’s Kanke Road as security arrangements were tightened around the chief minister’s residence ahead of a possible student protest. Marandi alleged that the restrictions were causing severe inconvenience to commuters and disrupting normal movement across the state capital. The security measures come as students continue their protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations.

In a social media post, Marandi alleged that major roads near the Chief Minister’s residence had been blocked in the name of security, affecting public life in Ranchi. He specifically referred to Kanke Road, one of the busy routes in the city, and claimed that the barricades were resulting in significant traffic congestion. He said the restrictions were affecting commuters, schoolchildren and vehicles involved in providing essential services.

The Ranchi administration has increased security around the Chief Minister’s residence ahead of Independence Day and in anticipation of a possible protest march by the agitating students. Authorities have put additional arrangements in place as the students' movement continues. The protest, which entered its 20th day on Thursday, is centred on allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted in the state.

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Marandi questioned the need for what he described as excessive security measures against students seeking to raise their demands peacefully. He asked why the government was “terrified” of students protesting in Ranchi and argued that a democratic and peaceful agitation should not require such a heavy security response. He also questioned whether the restrictions were necessary and called for the government to engage directly with the protesters.

The BJP leader further claimed that the barricades were creating prolonged traffic jams, leaving members of the public and schoolchildren stranded and affecting vehicles providing essential services. According to Marandi, ordinary residents were bearing the consequences of the restrictions while the government focused on securing the Chief Minister’s residence. His comments added to the political criticism surrounding the administration’s handling of the student agitation.

Marandi called on the state government to immediately remove the barricades, restore normal traffic movement and initiate dialogue with the protesting students. He urged the government to resolve the dispute through discussions rather than allowing the restrictions to continue. The students, meanwhile, have refused to withdraw their protest and are continuing their agitation until their demands concerning the alleged recruitment examination irregularities are addressed.

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