An aide, Pankaj Kumar, claimed Mahto was injured during a police lathi-charge near the Jharkhand Assembly.
Jharkhand student protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto was hospitalised on Monday after his health deteriorated while taking part in the student-led march in Ranchi. Doctors described his condition as critical after a “drastic” drop in his blood sugar level.
Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state.
“He is being treated in the emergency ward,” Nancy Priya, a medical officer at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, told PTI.
An aide, Pankaj Kumar, claimed Mahto was injured during a police lathi-charge near the Jharkhand Assembly.
Mahto Joins March Despite Poor Health
Despite his condition, Mahto joined the protesters during their march towards the Assembly earlier on Monday. He arrived at the protest site in an ambulance carrying a portrait of former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren and later addressed the gathering while standing on a stretcher.
“A government cannot be run with batons, bullets and guns. A government is run by keeping the people satisfied,” Mahto told reporters.
He alleged that police pushed and harassed him and forcibly put him in an ambulance despite his nine-day fast.
“I have been on a hunger strike for the past nine days. Despite this, police pushed and shoved me, harassed me and forcibly put me in an ambulance. But, I will continue this fight,” he said.
Protesters Clash With Police
The protest, which began on July 25, is seeking greater transparency in competitive examinations and fair opportunities for students, Mahto said.
Protesters alleged that police stopped vehicles carrying students to Ranchi and erected multiple barricades topped with barbed wire. They said water cannons, tear gas and batons were used to disperse the crowd.
