Daijiworld Media Network – Ranchi
Ranchi, Jul 23: Tension prevailed in Ranchi on Thursday as Congress and BJP workers clashed during a protest over the alleged NEET paper leak outside the BJP's state headquarters, leaving a journalist injured.
The protest came a day after BJP workers laid siege to the Congress office. On Thursday, Congress workers marched to the BJP office demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
As the protesters approached the BJP headquarters, workers from both parties raised slogans and allegedly hurled stones, tomatoes, eggs and water bottles at each other. A journalist sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos.
Congress workers broke through an initial police barricade and proceeded towards the BJP office but were stopped at the final barricade erected by the police.
Despite heavy security arrangements, some supporters from both parties managed to cross the barricades and confronted each other, shouting slogans for nearly 45 minutes. Police later resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the protesters and restore order.
BJP workers raised slogans including "Rahul Chor Hai" and "Jharkhand Sarkar Yuvaon ko Nyay De", while Congress workers responded with slogans such as "Chanda Chor Gaddi Chhodo" and "Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do".
Anticipating trouble, the police had deployed a large security contingent around the BJP state headquarters, including Rapid Response Teams and additional police personnel, to prevent any untoward incidents.
Earlier in the day, Congress leaders and workers assembled at Harmu Ground before marching towards the BJP office to stage the protest.
Following the clashes, Ranchi Mahanagar Congress president Kumar Raja lodged an FIR at the Argora Police Station, alleging that BJP workers had attempted to provoke violence.
He also submitted a pen drive containing purported video footage, claiming it showed BJP workers stockpiling stones inside the party office with the intention of attacking Congress protesters. The allegations have not been independently verified, and no immediate response from the BJP was available.