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NEW DELHI: The protest by students and job aspirants over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with the agitators announcing plans to burn effigies of chief minister Hemant Soren and congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts.The protesters, under the banner of JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take “concrete action” on their demands. They also announced plans to gherao Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20 and demanded his resignation.JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said the protesters would intensify their agitation unless their demands were addressed.“We will gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him,” Paswan said.The protesters are seeking cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and certain Jharkhand Public Service Commission examinations over alleged irregularities. They have also demanded a CBI probe or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.Students and job aspirants held a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on Saturday to mark India’s 80th Independence Day and press for recruitment reforms. Thousands participated in the march from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, including two wheelchair-borne protesters who were on hunger strike.Meanwhile, JLKM leader and student activist Devendra Mahto, who has been fasting for 15 days, alleged that police prevented him from joining the march after he tried to leave Sadar Hospital.Videos purportedly showing Mahto in a confrontation with security personnel were circulated on social media. The protesters alleged police high-handedness during the Independence Day programme.This comes as Jharkhand leader of opposition Babulal Marandi urged the state government to engage with the protesting aspirants.
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“The government should not remain adamant on its stance. It should pay attention to the students’ demands… The government should hold talks with the students without any delay,” Marandi told ANI.However, the state government has said it is taking steps to strengthen the recruitment process. In his Independence Day address, Soren said questions over examination irregularities had shaken the trust of a generation of job aspirants.He said investigations would be impartial and that those found guilty would face strict legal action, while cautioning against declaring anyone guilty without evidence.The state government has proposed an annual examination calendar, technology-secured examinations, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability.
