New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has appealed to protesting students to maintain peace and resolve their concerns through dialogue, hours after police action during a march towards the state Assembly left several protesters injured.
Addressing the students, Soren acknowledged their right to raise their demands in a democratic system and said the government had taken note of their concerns. He assured the aspirants that their demands would be considered with seriousness and sensitivity.
The Chief Minister said senior ministers had remained in communication with the protesting students and that the government was committed to addressing shortcomings in the recruitment and examination system. He said efforts were underway to make examinations more transparent, technology driven, secure and accountable.
Soren stressed that students would have an important role in improving the system and expressed hope that Jharkhand could demonstrate how contentious issues can be resolved through dialogue rather than prolonged confrontation.
His remarks came after police used force to control protesters during the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march by JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Ranchi. Several protesters were reportedly injured during clashes, while student leader Devendra Nath Mahto was taken to hospital after his health condition deteriorated during the agitation.
The protesters have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, including the JSSC Combined Graduate Level examination. Their demands include cancellation of the examination, a CBI investigation and reforms to prevent similar controversies in the future.
Soren also accused some Opposition leaders of attempting to influence the student movement for political gains. He urged the protesters to remain cautious of what he described as political narratives designed to divert the agitation.
Calling students the future of Jharkhand, the Chief Minister said listening to their concerns was a responsibility of the government.
He urged the protesters to work with the administration to find a solution based on dialogue and mutual trust, signalling an attempt to ease tensions following the confrontation in Ranchi.
