RANCHI: The JPSC-JSSC protest intensified in Ranchi on Monday as Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahato joined the protesting students’ Vidhan Sabha gherao, vowing to continue his hunger strike and urging the Hemant Soren government to address their demands.Carrying a portrait of former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren, Mahato, who has been on hunger strike for nine days, said protesters would not be deterred by barricades and that the government would have to listen to the students.“Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us. I came here in an ambulance. The government will have to listen to us,” Mahato said.He appealed to the public not to portray him as a hero, saying he was an ordinary person participating in the movement.“I am no God or messiah; I am a common man. There will be no change in my personal life. But the barbed wires hurt more than the hunger strike. Students crossed three layers of barricading. Why does the government want anarchy and not agree to students’ demands?” he said.Mahato also appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren not to use force against the protesters, noting that it was the chief minister’s birthday on Monday.“Today it’s CM Hemant Soren’s birthday, and he should not take such a step where some unfortunate events like at the Jantar Mantar take place here. Do not do anything that causes someone to bleed or get injured and makes the crowd even more agitated. Arrest is a legal process, but there should be no bloodshed. If the government does not agree to the demands, it will be remembered as the one which killed democracy. I will not end the fast,” he said.A large number of students gathered near the Vidhan Sabha during the march against alleged irregularities in examinations and the recruitment process. Protesters formed a human chain and moved towards the assembly amid heavy security and multiple layers of barricading.A protester reiterated the students’ key demands, including cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.“We are not going to stop today. Our first demand is to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam, secondly, a CBI probe,” the protester said.Another protester said the students would remain at the spot until the barricading was removed.“We will move ahead when the barricading is opened; till then we will sit here,” he said.Criticising the state government’s policies, another protester said Jharkhand’s mineral wealth had not translated into opportunities for its students.“Jharkhand is a mineral-rich state. While the whole country and world are using Jharkhand’s minerals, students here are kept in the dark due to the government’s policies. And today we demand answers peacefully,” he said.Protesters also alleged that security personnel were stopping vehicles carrying students who were attempting to join the march.Meanwhile, Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari said the state government stood with the youth and assured that discussions were underway to resolve the issue.Slamming the BJP over its protest outside the chief minister’s residence, Ansari said, “The BJP is an expert in diverting the youth. We stand with the youth; the government stands with you. We are holding talks and will find a solution. Remain peaceful.”Mahato has been on hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site, for the past nine days.(With ANI inputs)
