Jharkhand recruitment protests: CM Hemant Soren says 'action soon'- top developments

NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said his government would "soon take action" over the ongoing protests against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations after meeting Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar."I met the Governor today and discussed the situation; it is being looked into, we will soon take action," Soren told reporters.Students demand cancellation of JPSC exam, CBI probeThe protests began after the results of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination were declared on July 5, with aspirants alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. Students have since been holding round-the-clock demonstrations and an indefinite sit-in, demanding transparency, accountability and reforms in the state's recruitment agencies.The protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC-CGL recruitment examinations, and the public release of OMR sheets and answer scripts. A section of the protesters has warned of gheraoing the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if their demands are not addressed.Hunger strike continues; student leader ends water boycottStudent leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), consumed water on Wednesday, the fourth day of his fast.Mahto said he decided to drink water after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to him to do so during a video call. However, he said the hunger strike and the ongoing satyagraha would continue until the government addressed the students' demands.CID probe underway into alleged exam irregularitiesThe state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the alleged examination irregularities, has conducted raids at multiple locations across Jharkhand. Officials have seized laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of OMR sheets and other materials, which are being examined as part of the investigation.BJP demands CBI inquiryThe opposition BJP has also stepped up its attack on the state government, with leader of opposition Babulal Marandi and other party leaders demanding a CBI probe, strict action against those responsible for any wrongdoing and immediate acceptance of the students' demands.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.