Jharkhand govt to hold fresh talks with students on Sunday protesting job exam 'irregularities'

The Jharkhand government intends to engage in a sixth round of discussions with students protesting alleged irregularities in job exams, according to a panel member. The meeting is scheduled for 12 pm on Sunday, following a four-hour session with Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was informed about the progress from the last five rounds of dialogue.

The panel, comprising members Dipika Pandey Singh and Sanjay Prasad Yadav, along with Ministers Chamra Linda and Sudivya Kumar, decided to hold further talks with the protesters demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The core issue revolves around an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, either conducted by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.

Despite five rounds of talks since Friday night, the protests continue as the job aspirants insist on meeting all their demands. The government panel had initially met with Devendra Nath Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, whose fast over the issue entered its seventh day. Subsequent meetings were held with delegations from the Congress-backed National Students Union of India (NSUI), All India Students Conference (ACS), and Jharkhand Krantikari Manch (JCM).

So far, 19 people have been arrested in connection with irregularities in the JPSC examinations, and former panel chairperson L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.