RANCHI: After days of escalating protests over alleged recruitment exam irregularities, a breakthrough appears to be on the horizon as a section of the agitating students has agreed in principle to hold talks with Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren.The development came after senior district administration officials reached the protest site with the chief minister’s invitation for a five-member delegation of protesters to meet him.While one faction of the protesters agreed to the proposal, another initially resisted, leading to internal deliberations. The time of the meeting has not been finalised yet.However, it is now expected that a five-member delegation representing the protesters will soon meet the CM Hemant Soren.The protests erupted after the results of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination were declared on July 5. Aspirants have alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process and have since been staging a round-the-clock sit-in in Ranchi.The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the preliminary examination for the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and a review of examinations conducted through TDPL agencies.Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Kumar Rajat and additional district magistrate (ADM) Dhananjay Kumar conveyed the government’s invitation at the protest site.“They (protesting aspirants) have sought some time. They have been given the same. They will then tell us. We will continue to be here,” SDM Kumar Rajat told reporters.The protesters maintained that any discussion with the chief minister would be held only among students and sought time to decide on the government’s proposal before conveying their final response.Earlier in the day, Soren had said his government’s doors were open for dialogue and assured the protesting students that their concerns would be taken seriously.“The government’s doors are open to everyone. Anyone who has demands can come forward and present their concerns. We are already aware of the issues to some extent, and if they present their views, the government will certainly consider them seriously,” Soren said.Referring to the alleged examination irregularities, the chief minister said several accused had already been arrested, investigations were underway and agencies were conducting raids. He expressed confidence that the probe would lead to a concrete resolution.Backing the protesters, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) also indicated that the government was preparing to act. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said the government would constitute a high-level committee within the next one or two days and take exemplary action against those found guilty based on available evidence.(With agency inputs)
