SSC job aspirants clash with police, 50 arrested

A major chaos witnessed in Bidhannagar over the publication of the primary merit list by the School Service Commission (SSC). Agitated job seekers demanded the immediate release of the list, as more than 9,000 people have been deprived of jobs.

They were stopped by the Bidhannagar police when they tried to enter the SSC Bhawan after coming out of the Salt Lake Sector Five Metro Station. According to police sources, an estimated 50 people were arrested.

The protesters claimed that the High Court had ordered the SSC to publish the merit list on September 30, 2022, but the commission had failed to comply with the order. They argued that if the merit list was not published immediately, job seekers would be unable to apply due to age restrictions.

Earlier in the day, candidates who had completed their interviews issued a notice to the SSC, demanding the publication of the primary merit list. The Bidhannagar police had increased security measures in preparation for the campaign, and compassionate police security was visible in the area. However, when police were present in Karunamayee, protesters moved to Sector Five and began demonstrating in front of the metro station.

During the demonstration, Bidhannagar police tried to stop the protesters, but according to police sources, they were "duped" by the agitators. The protesters got into a scuffle with the police near the Salt Lake Sector Five Metro Station, and many were arrested by the Bidhannagar commissionerate police.

The agitators are demanding the immediate publication of the clear merit list and the provision of job opportunities to the unemployed. The police have taken a stern stance against the protesters, but it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.