RANCHI: A student who was on hunger strike was shifted from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Sadar Hospital on Friday after his health condition reportedly deteriorated, as the protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 14th day.Six students have been continuing their hunger strike as part of the agitation, while two student organisations announced plans to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, which is currently in session.The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. They have sought an investigation either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state.Students form delegation for talks with governmentThe protesting students formed an 11-member delegation on Thursday to hold discussions with the state government after chief minister Hemant Soren said that the doors of his government were open for dialogue to resolve the deadlock.However, the protesters have maintained that they want a direct discussion with the Chief Minister and a public assurance on their demands.Student groups plan march towards AssemblyThe All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) announced plans to hold a march towards the assembly during the ongoing Monsoon Session.Ahead of the proposed protest, prohibitory orders have been imposed within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha building from August 6 to August 12.The restrictions will remain in force from 6 am to 10 pm during this period.Opposition raises issue in assemblyThe agitation also echoed inside the Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday, with opposition MLAs raising slogans on the premises on the first day of the Monsoon Session.The protest, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, has emerged as one of the biggest student-led movements in the state in recent years.(With agency inputs)
