The agitation against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations is expected to dominate the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly beginning Thursday, with the Opposition preparing to target the Hemant Soren government as the protest entered its 13th day and six demonstrators continued an indefinite hunger strike.
The protest, launched on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, has emerged as one of the largest student-led movements in the state in recent years.
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state. They have also sought comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday described question paper leaks as a "national problem" and offered to hold talks with the agitating students to resolve the impasse.
Five more protesters, including two women, joined the indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday, taking the number of those fasting to six. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on an indefinite fast for the past five days.
Mahto's health became a cause for concern after his blood sugar and blood pressure levels dropped significantly. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently observed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke to Mahto over the phone and urged him to at least drink water to protect his health. Following Wangchuk's appeal, Mahto agreed to drink water.
The protesters said they had been forced to adopt the indefinite fast after repeated appeals to the government failed to produce any concrete action.
"Our five friends, including two women, have joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and press for our demands," JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar said.
One of the fasting protesters, Sabita Kumari, alleged that the government had ignored students' concerns, leaving them with no option but to intensify the agitation.
Another protester, Habiba, appealed directly to the chief minister, saying, "The chief minister is like our guardian. When children remain hungry, a guardian also feels pain. We want action and justice, not just assurances."
The agitation received support from both the Opposition and a constituent of the ruling alliance on Wednesday. A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited the protest site, reiterating the demand for cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. The BJP legislature party also decided to raise the issue in the Assembly. The Congress, an ally in the Hemant Soren-led government, also extended support to the agitating students.
Meanwhile, the CID intensified its probe into the alleged recruitment scam. An official said 19 people have been arrested so far, including five on Wednesday, while former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
In view of student organisations' proposed gherao of the Assembly on August 7 and 10, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly from August 6 to 12 between 6 am and 10 pm.
(With inputs from PTI)
