Ranchi, Aug. 4: The agitation by job aspirants against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) entered its 11th day on Tuesday, with protesters warning of a gherao of the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if their demands remain unaddressed.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto continued his indefinite hunger strike for the third consecutive day at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students have been staging a sit-in over the alleged paper leak and recruitment irregularities.
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, a CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC-CGL recruitment examinations, disclosure of OMR sheets, main examination answer scripts and category-wise cut-off marks, blacklisting of controversial examination agencies, and comprehensive reforms in the state’s recruitment bodies.
The students have alleged that repeated irregularities in recruitment examinations have jeopardised the careers of deserving candidates and eroded public confidence in the selection process.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, intensified its investigation by conducting simultaneous raids across Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Deoghar, Godda, Ramgarh and Hazaribagh districts.
During the searches, investigators seized laptops, mobile phones, bank-related documents, carbon copies of candidates’ OMR sheets, admit cards and other materials, which are being subjected to forensic and technical examination.
The CID had earlier searched the JPSC office, arrested several persons linked to the examination process and questioned former JPSC Chairman L. Kiyangte multiple times in connection with the investigation.
Amid the escalating agitation, the Jharkhand government is considering constituting a high-level committee to examine the grievances raised by the students. The government has maintained that it is committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in recruitment processes and has assured strict legal action against anyone found guilty during the investigation.
The controversy has also triggered a political confrontation, with Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi alleging that jobs were being “sold” through the JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter, removal of the Chairpersons, Secretaries and Examination Controllers of both commissions, and immediate arrest of those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
Despite persistent rainfall and adverse weather conditions, the students have continued their protest, receiving support from local residents and several social organisations.
The allegations regarding recruitment irregularities are currently under investigation, and no final conclusions have been announced by the authorities.
