Ranchi: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday extended “moral support” to protesting job aspirants in Jharkhand, alleging that the state govt’s delayed response to complaints about recruitment examinations had allowed the situation to reach a crisis point.Responding to Sarma’s criticism, rural development minister and Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh said the Hemant Soren govt was sensitive to concerns of students and had initiated a CID investigation to ensure transparency and justice.In a post on X, Sarma said he had witnessed the concerns, anger and frustration of JSSC-CGL aspirants during the Jharkhand assembly election and understood the sentiments of students protesting for their future.Targeting the JMM-Cong-RJD govt, Sarma said timely action on complaints concerning recruitment examinations could have prevented the unrest. “Allegations of irregularities and question paper leaks had continued to mount, putting the future of lakhs of aspirants at stake,” he said.Sarma urged the state govt to accept the protesters’ legitimate demands and ensure justice. “Injustice with the future of the youth cannot be acceptable at any cost,” he said.JPSC and JSSC aspirants have been staging an indefinite agitation at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Stadium for more than a week. They are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC civil services examination over alleged irregularities in the preliminary test and a CBI probe into previous recruitment examinations.The protesters have split into two groups. One faction is led by JLKM functionary Devendranath Mahto, who began an indefinite hunger strike three days ago, while the other is continuing a separate agitation.State govt has ordered a CID probe into the 14th JPSC examination. Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the case, while former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte, who recently resigned, has been questioned four times. Sources said the govt was considering forming a high-level committee to engage with protesters and find a resolution.Singh said the CID probe was progressing swiftly and seriously. Referring to an earlier CBI investigation into a paper leak case, she said its outcome was known to everyone.She said Jharkhand had enacted a stringent law to curb paper leaks and punish those involved before the Centre introduced a similar legislation. Congress stood with students seeking fair and transparent examinations, she added.“The govt’s priority is to protect students’ interests and ensure that recruitment and competitive examinations are conducted transparently and credibly,” Singh said.
