Ranchi, Aug. 10 -- Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato alleged that the police carried out a "cowardly act" by resorting to lathicharges on students during the JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest march in Ranchi, claiming that the incident had "deeply tarnished" their reputation.

Speaking to ANI about the protest march, Mahato said, "Today's movement was truly historic, and until the evening, it was a peaceful protest. However, at night, the Jharkhand Police committed a cowardly act--an act that has deeply tarnished the force's reputation."

"Under the cover of darkness, with the lights turned off, they asked the students to sit down, assuring them that a dialogue would take place. The students sat there hoping...