Wangchuk urges fasting Jharkhand aspirant to drink water; five more join exam irregularities stir

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday appealed to Devendra Nath Mahto, a protester on hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, to at least drink water. Heeding Mr. Wangchuk's request, Mr. Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, drank water on the fourth day of his fast. Mr. Wangchuk, who recently concluded a 26-day fast in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, advised Mr. Mahto to take water as his blood sugar and blood pressure levels were dropping.

Meanwhile, the protest intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, with five more people joining an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night under the banner of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch. With this, the number of protesters on hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi has risen to six.

Since July 25, protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, along with reforms in the commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. They are also seeking an inquiry into the alleged examination irregularities by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.

The spokesperson of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, Jivan Kumar, said, "Our five friends, including two women, went on hunger strike from Tuesday night to press for our demands." He added that a core committee meeting would be held shortly to decide on taking out a 'Tiranga March' in support of the students' demands.

Sabita Kumari, one of the protesters on hunger strike, said they were "forced" to resort to this form of protest since the government was not fulfilling their demands. Another protester, Habiba, appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, saying, "The CM is like our guardian. When children are hungry, a guardian also feels pain. So, we hope that he will listen to our grievances and demands." She also stressed, "The Chief Minister says the government is sensitive. It may be, but we want action and justice, not assurance."

Chief Minister Hemant Soren said on Tuesday that his government was serious about the concerns raised by the protesting job aspirants. "With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," he told reporters in Ranchi.

Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi said the demands of the protesters were genuine. "The government should cancel the 14th JPSC exam, and the probe should be handed over to the CBI. The CID, which is investigating the case, has been engaged to cover up the issue," he said.

Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar urged the Jharkhand government to constitute a panel headed by a sitting high court judge to probe the alleged irregularities. He also demanded that all JPSC officials be dismissed and that the results of recently held examinations be cancelled. The Congress is a major coalition partner in the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has so far arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged irregularities. The JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances" amid mounting protests, an official said. The CID has also questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and raided 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of its investigation.