The first round of talks between JPSC-JSSC aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the Jharkhand government concluded on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions to find a solution.

Representatives of the protesting students said their demands were placed before the government delegation and that their concerns were taken seriously. They added that further discussions would be held and the protest would continue until a resolution is reached.

“Demands have been placed before them. Further discussions will be held. The protest continues. Our issues were taken seriously. They will speak with the CM. A solution will be brought about,” a member of the aspirants’ delegation said after the meeting.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan described the meeting as the first phase of discussions and said the interaction took place in a positive atmosphere.

“This was our first meeting. It felt very positive. Sitting with everyone felt like family. It was a really positive meeting. We are confident that the government, the CM and all ministers will consider our demands genuine,” Paswan said.

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leaders also said the meeting with the Jharkhand government was held in a cordial environment and assured that the government would consider their demands.

After meeting the protesters’ delegation, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government listened to the students’ concerns and was committed to discussing their demands seriously.

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“We had a meeting with the students in a cordial atmosphere. We understood the demands of students. The government is committed to deliberate on the students’ demands seriously,” he said.

The minister added that the government was ready to consider the demands raised by the protesters sympathetically.

What are the protesters demanding?

The agitation is being held by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities. They have sought an investigation either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.

The protest had entered its 14th day, with six protesters continuing their hunger strike.

Before Friday’s meeting, the protesting students had submitted a fresh 10-member delegation to the state government for talks. The revised panel included student leaders Ravindra Paswan, Piyush Kumar, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Ankit Raj, Kartik Soren, Shalu Kumari, Ravindra Kumar Ravi, Anand Kumar and Ankit Kumar.

The fresh list was submitted after the government raised objections to an earlier 11-member panel that included an advocate and two technical experts.

With agency inputs