J'khand exam row: Devendra Mahto, on fast for 9 days, hospitalised after joining protest march

JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past nine days over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, was admitted to a hospital in Ranchi as his health condition deteritoated after participating in a march by protesting students.

Doctors described Mahto’s condition as critical, due to a “drastic” drop in his blood sugar level.

“He is being treated in the emergency ward,” Nancy Priya, Medical Officer at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, told PTI.

Pankaj Kumar, an aide of Mahto who was with him in the hospital, claimed that he was injured during lathi-charge by police near the assembly.

Several agitators and four policemen were injured during a clash near the Jharkhand assembly on Monday, as police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charged job aspirants protesting against the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, officials said.