Jharkhand cancels JSSC-CGL exams after 24-day protests

The Jharkhand government on Tuesday cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination and all tests conducted by TDPL, bowing to a key demand of students who have been protesting for 24 days over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also announced a CID probe into all exams held in the state since 2014 and the formation of a reforms committee headed by IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.

Student leader Devendra Mahto, who was on a 16-day hunger strike, ended his protest in the presence of state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari. He thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and the ministers for agreeing to the demands. Two other protesters, Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti, also ended their fasts.

However, Livemint reports that Mahto said the 'struggle for reform' will continue. NDTV reports that other student leaders, including Ravindra Paswan, said the agitation will go on until the government accepts their demand for a CBI probe. The government has ordered a CID investigation instead.