Jharkhand students burn effigies as govt calls fresh talks

The Jharkhand government on Sunday invited agitating students for a fresh round of talks on Monday, August 17, at 2 pm, as protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered their 23rd day. An official said the decision followed a meeting between the Sub-Divisional Officer and students at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.

The 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch', which is leading the protest, accepted the invitation for talks at the State Guest House. Its leader Ravindra Paswan said the students remain firm on two demands: a CBI probe into the irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exams. The previous round of talks on August 9 failed to reach a breakthrough.

The Federal reports that on Sunday, protesters burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, accusing the JMM-Congress alliance of inaction. The students have announced a plan to gherao the CM's residence on August 20. The Congress said its state unit will discuss the issue on August 18.