India
Jharkhand: Protesting students nominate panel; reject closed-door talks, demand media presence
Ranchi: Protesting students in Ranchi have formed an 11-member delegation to hold talks with the Jharkhand government over alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Preliminary Examination.
The move came a day after the state government reached out to the protesters, who have been staging a demonstration at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for the past 13 days. The students, protesting under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, have accused the third-party agency that conducted the examination, TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), of large-scale irregularities.
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the examination, a CBI probe and a complete overhaul of the recruitment examination system in the state.
Student leader Devendra Mahato has been on hunger strike for the past five days, increasing pressure on the Hemant Soren-led government. On Wednesday, Ranchi SDO Kumar Rajat visited the protest site and conveyed the government’s willingness to hold discussions with the students, asking them to nominate representatives for the meeting.
The students, however, have ruled out closed-door negotiations and insisted that the talks be held in the presence of journalists and cameras.
On Thursday, the protesters said their delegation comprises eight students, a lawyer and two technical experts. The list has been submitted to the SDO, while the government is expected to decide the venue and timing of the meeting.
Mahato said the agitation would continue until the students’ demands are addressed.
The alleged examination irregularities are being investigated by an SIT with the involvement of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), which has so far made at least 19 arrests.
On Wednesday, CID officials arrested Rakshak Singh, an accountant with TDPL, in Lucknow and brought him to Ranchi. Singh was involved in the conduct of the JPSC Preliminary Examination and had also appeared for the test himself.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has described paper leaks as a national issue and said dialogue could help resolve the deadlock.
Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government was serious about addressing the students’ concerns and welcomed their decision to participate in talks.