Our Bureau
Ranchi
Student leader and Jharkhand Lok Kalyan Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his 16-day hunger strike after the Jharkhand government announced the cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination and all recruitment tests conducted by outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) since 2014.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the decision following growing protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The state Cabinet also ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged irregularities. The government said examinations conducted through TDPL, along with results published by the agency, would stand cancelled.
Mahto, who was undergoing treatment at Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital, called off his fast around midnight on Monday after meeting state ministers and legislators. Ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari were present when the fast was ended. Two other protesters, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba, also ended their hunger strikes.
The protest, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, had entered its 25th day at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Three other protesters, Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal, were continuing their hunger strike, according to the Press Trust of India.
The government’s move has not completely ended the agitation. A section of students is demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the cancelled examinations. Mahto, meanwhile, has said the next phase of the movement will focus on ensuring transparent and corruption-free recruitment through the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and JSSC.
Mahto described the cancellation as a major victory for students but indicated that the broader campaign for reforms would continue.