Jharkhand students burn effigies of Soren, Rahul, fresh talks Monday

Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment exams burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi on Sunday, the 23rd day of the agitation. One protester, Baha Linda, shaved his head and said he was 'mourning' the leaders, calling them 'as good as dead' and accusing them of dynastic politics. The agitators, under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, have also announced a plan to gherao Soren's residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.

The state government has invited the protesters for a fresh round of talks on Monday, the seventh such meeting. The previous round on August 9 failed to yield a breakthrough. Protest leader Ravindra Paswan said the group accepted the invitation but remains firm on two demands: a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination. The number of student delegates for the talks will be announced on Monday. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi backed the students' call for a CBI investigation, saying the government should not fear it.