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Fresh talks with govt today, protesters on hunger strike ‘stable’: Latest updates on Jharkhand protests
The doctor said while the protesters should be taken to the hospital, they are refusing to move. The required treatment was being provided on the spot.
The protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand continued for the sixteenth day on Sunday morning as talks held over the past two days failed to end the deadlock. The Hemant Soren government will hold fresh discussions with the protesting job aspirants at 12 pm today as student leaders carry on their indefinite hunger strike for seventh straight day at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Stadium.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has emerged as one of the prominent faces leading the protest, saw his health deteriorate last night with blood glucose level falling to 53 around 3 am. One of the protesters alleged that efforts were made to remove Mahto during night as a medical team visited repeatedly.
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The agitating students have vowed to continue their protests. Student protester Umme Hani said, "If the government doesn't accept our demands, we will continue our protests. Because we want a reform in the system. We are not just fighting for ourselves. This is a fight for the next generation."
Union Minister Sanjay Seth and Jharkhand BJP President Aditya Sahu met the protesters at the protest site and spoke to them.
What doctor says on health of fasting leaders
Sharing latest update on the health of the fasting student leaders, which include Mahendra and Kush Mahto, Doctor AP Sinha said their condition was stable. “Their weights have dropped. But they are alert. Their vitals are fine.”
The doctor said while they should be taken to the hospital, the protesters are refusing to move. Hence, the required treatment was being provided on the spot.
The protests broke out few days after the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) declared the preliminary examination results of the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination on July 2. There were allegations of irregularities in the exam taken by 3.5 lakh people. The agitating students have been demanding the cancellation of the exam and reforms in both JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Five rounds of talks fail
So far, the Soren government has held five rounds of talks with protesting students. On Friday night, the state ministers first met JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, one of the groups spearheading the agitation, and heard their demands. On Saturday, talks were held with Mahto-led JPSC-JSSC Abhyarthi Nyay Manch, NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS). A sixth round of talks is set to be held today noon.
ALSO READ: ABVP members scuffle with police near Jharkhand CM residence, 8-10 detained
Unimpressed by the Jharkhand government's move to hold separate talks with various student groups, the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch called it "political manoeuvring" which was meant "to create a divide among students and divert attention" from core demands. "But they should know that all students are united," said Ravindra Paswan, a leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
The All India Students' Association (AISA), led by Neha Bora and Ranchi unit chief Vijay Kumar, also joined the protests and expressed solidarity with the fasting student leaders.
The members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who also held protests, clashed with police while attempting to break through barricades near the chief minister's residence.
What are Jharkhand protesters demanding
The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), CID or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
ACS leader Kartik Oraon has further demanded inclusion of tribal and regional languages as qualifying papers in recruitment examinations.
What Jharkhand govt said
Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the panel had apprised the chief minister of the demands and concerns raised by student delegations during the discussions. "It was decided in the meeting with the chief minister that a final round of talks with the protesting students will take place at 12 pm on Sunday," she said.
Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav said the government would continue discussions with the agitators demanding comprehensive. Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government had issued an email ID to seek suggestions from aspirants on reforms in the recruitment process.
As many as 19 people have been arrested and the former panel chairperson L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
