Jharkhand students stir: Govt makes fresh peace bid, invites protesters for talks on Aug 17
NEW DELHI: The Jharkhand government has invited students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations for a fresh round of talks on Monday, August 17, in an attempt to resolve the 23-day-old standoff over demands for a CBI probe and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.The talks are scheduled for 2 pm at the State Guest House, with the government also allowing the students to participate alongside their legal advisor, an official said on Sunday.The decision followed a meeting between the Sub-Divisional Officer and the ADM, Law and Order, and protesting students at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the agitation is being held.“The protesters have been invited for talks on August 17 at 2 pm. The students have been offered the proposal to participate in the discussions along with their legal advisor,” the official said.The ‘JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch’, which is spearheading the agitation, said it had accepted the government’s invitation and would attend the meeting, but stressed that its core demands remained unchanged.“We will definitely go for the talks as we want to resolve the issue through dialogue. But, we are firm on two demands – a CBI probe into irregularities in recruitment tests and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combine Graduate Level) exams,” Manch leader Ravindra Paswan told reporters.Paswan said the talks would be held in the presence of the students’ legal advisor. The number of students who will form the delegation to meet the government panel will be announced on Monday.
Six rounds of talks held earlier
The latest invitation comes after six rounds of discussions between the Jharkhand government and the protesting students failed to produce a settlement.The previous round of talks, held on August 9, ended without any breakthrough.The students have been demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
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They are also seeking cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, one of the key points of contention between the protesters and the state government.The agitation had entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with the students continuing their protest at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.The fresh talks on Monday will therefore be the latest attempt by the government to break the deadlock, with the protesters signalling that they are willing to engage in dialogue but will continue to press for their two principal demands.
