Surendra Soren
Ranchi
The students’ satyagraha demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations continued for the tenth consecutive day in Ranchi on Monday, with the agitation drawing support from political leaders and social organizations from across the country.
The protest, which began at Bapu Vatika in Morabadi, has now shifted to the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where a large number of aspirants have been staging a round-the-clock sit-in.
The protesters have constituted a coordination committee and assigned specific responsibilities to student leaders. At a press conference on Monday evening, they reiterated their seven-point charter of demands, including an inquiry into examinations already conducted and strict action against those found responsible for alleged irregularities.
The students also demanded that private agencies should not be entrusted with conducting recruitment examinations and that the state government should conduct the examinations itself.
The agitation received support from Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, who publicly backed the students’ movement against alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations. He spoke to student leaders over the phone and said he would join the agitation in Ranchi after recovering from his health issues.
Meanwhile, AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto visited the protesting students late Monday evening and extended his support to their demand for a CBI investigation.
The protestors also received support from social organizations and individuals from different parts of the country. Food and other essentials are reportedly being sent from Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and other states, while several Ranchi-based organizations have arranged free breakfast, lunch and dinner for the protesters.
Heavy rain on Sunday night had caused difficulties for the protesters. However, permission granted by the administration on Monday to install a tent provided some relief.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, said some misunderstandings had emerged among the protesters but were being resolved through dialogue. He maintained that the students remained united in pursuing their demands.
