Jharkhand student protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been hospitalised after his health deteriorated while taking part in the student-led Assembly march in Ranchi yesterday.

Doctors described his condition as critical after a drastic drop in his blood sugar level. Mr Mahto has been on a hunger strike for 9 days over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state. Mr Mahto claims to have been injured during a police lathi-charge near the Jharkhand Assembly.

The BJP has called for a Jharkhand bandh today to protest against “police atrocities” and the lathi-charge on protesting students. BJP state president Aditya Sahu said the bandh will be effective from 8 am till midnight today. He said all essential services, however, are excluded from the purview of the shutdown.

Several agitators and 4 policemen were injured during a clash near the Jharkhand Assembly yesterday, as police used water cannons and tear gas and resorted to lathi-charge against job aspirants.

The clash took place after the protesters breached multiple barricades near the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha.