Wangchuk Urges Fasting Jharkhand Activist to Drink Water as Protest Over JPSC Exam Row Escalates
Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday spoke to Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on a hunger strike against the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, and urged him to at least drink water.
Wangchuk, who was on a 26-day fast in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue recently, advised Mahto to at least drink water, as his blood sugar and blood pressure levels were dropping. Heeding his request, Mahato had water on the fourth day of his fast.
On Tuesday night, five people under the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch banner began an indefinite hunger strike as the protest intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly. With this, the number of people on hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has risen to six.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto has been fasting at the same venue for the past four days. Both factions of the protesters have been demanding ,since July 25, the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination, as well as reforms in the commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
They are also demanding an inquiry into exam irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns of protesting job aspirants seriously and that a decision on their demands would be announced "at the appropriate time."Despite the assurance, the agitation intensified.
"We were forced to resort to this protest because the government is not fulfilling our demands," hunger striker Sabita Kumari said.
The protesters are also planning a 'Tiranga March' in support of students' demands, with a core committee expected to take a decision soon.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi backed the protesters' demands, calling for the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar also sought a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting high court judge, dismissal of JPSC officials, and cancellation of recently held examinations.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Police CID has arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities. It has also questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and conducted raids at 18 locations across the state. Amid the mounting protests, the JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination scheduled for July 25–27, citing "unavoidable circumstances."
