The second round of talks between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations ended without any agreement after a meeting that lasted around an hour.
The government said it would hold discussions with different groups of students and other stakeholders before taking a collective decision. It has also issued an email ID, Jpsc.jssc.feedback@gmail.com, and a feedback number through which students and others can submit their suggestions.
Minister heads to CM’s residence after meeting
After the meeting, the ministers who were part of the government delegation left for Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. They are expected to brief him on the discussions held with the students.
Minister Sudivya Kumar Sone said, “The government would continue meeting representatives of different student groups and stakeholders.”
He said, “The delegation had met one group of students today and would also hold discussions with members of NSUI, JCM and ACS.”
He added, “The government had opened an email channel to receive suggestions from students, individuals and other stakeholders, which would be considered before arriving at a collective decision.”
Eight students from Devendranath Mahto group attend talks
The government held discussions with eight students from the Devendranath Mahto group at the State Guest House. Another round of talks could take place in the evening. The government delegation had also held discussions with protesting students on Friday night.
15th day of protest, six students on hunger strike
The student protest entered its 15th day on Saturday. Six students are currently on hunger strike demanding cancellation of the JPSC examination.
The protesting students have also announced plans to gherao the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.
Government held a meeting with the Devendra Mahato faction on Saturday.
Students announce Assembly gherao on August 10, urge protesters to reach Ranchi
Students protesting against alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations have made it clear that assurances from the government will not be enough. They have demanded that all their JPSC and JSSC-related demands be resolved by August 9.
The students said that if no satisfactory action is taken by the deadline, they will proceed with the planned Assembly gherao in Ranchi on August 10.
The JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum has appealed to students and parents to reach Ranchi ahead of the protest. In a social media post, the forum urged them to arrive on August 8 or 9, alleging that the government may prevent them from reaching Ranchi on August 10. The post also claimed that 10 buses had already been stopped in Hazaribagh.
Talks held with one group of students
Following Friday’s meeting, student leader Ravindra Paswan said, “The talks with the government delegation were positive.”
He said, “The students expected the government, the Chief Minister and ministers to consider their demands, while stressing that the protest would continue until the demands were fulfilled.”
Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said, “The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere and that the government had understood the students’ concerns. The government was committed to seriously considering their demands.”
Ministers and student representatives attended meeting
Ministers Chamra Linda, Sudivya Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh and Sanjay Yadav represented the government at the meeting.
The student delegation included Ravindra Paswan, Piyush Kumar, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Ankit Raj, Kartik Soren, Shalu Kumari, Ravindra Kumar Ravi, Anand Kumar and Ankit Kumar.
Photos related to the students’ protest
Posters put up at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
The student protest in Jharkhand enters its 15th day today.
Jharkhandi artists perform a traditional dance at Jaipal Singh Stadium.
Security was stepped up at the State Guest House ahead of talks with the students.
Student leaders Devendra Nath Mahato and Brahmanath continue their hunger strike for the seventh consecutive day.
SDM meets students, government seeks representatives for talks
On Friday (7 Aug), the SDM reached the stadium and met the protesting students to discuss the ongoing agitation. The SDM conveyed the government’s position and asked the students to submit the names of those who would participate in the proposed talks.
The official made it clear that the government wanted to hold discussions directly with the students. Following this, the students revised their list and included 10 representatives in the delegation.
