Ranchi (Rajeev Sharma): The protest by JPSC-JSSC aspirants at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium continued amid a growing impasse between student representatives and the Jharkhand government, with a second round of talks failing to produce a breakthrough.
The agitation has intensified with several students continuing their hunger strike. Protester Prem Nayak said the fast had entered its seventh day, while expressing concern over the deteriorating health of those participating in it.
According to Nayak, Mahendra and Kush Mahto were among the protesters whose health had weakened considerably. He said doctors had been keeping a watch on the fasting students throughout the night.
Concerns over Devendra Nath Mahto’s health
Nayak also raised concerns about student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, saying attempts were made during the night to wake him. He alleged that the protesters were worried about the administration’s approach towards Mahto and feared that he could be shifted to a hospital.
The protesters, however, have maintained that the movement will continue as long as their principal demands remain unresolved.
Students seek direct intervention from CM
The government has invited representatives of the protesting aspirants for another meeting, with discussions scheduled around noon. Nayak said the students would participate in the talks but insisted that they wanted meaningful intervention rather than what he described as temporary assurances.
He demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren personally engage with the protesters and take decisive action on their concerns.
The student leader also criticised what he described as an attempt to pacify protesters with minor concessions instead of addressing the larger issues surrounding the recruitment examinations.
Deadlock continues
The latest talks have failed to convince the protesters to withdraw their agitation. Students have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes and have maintained pressure on the state government through demonstrations and the hunger strike.
With the health of some fasting students reportedly worsening, pressure is mounting on the administration to find a resolution.
For now, the protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium continues, while the next round of discussions between student representatives and government officials could prove crucial in determining whether the prolonged standoff moves towards a settlement.
