Student leader and JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahato on Tuesday ended his indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium after receiving a phone
call from activist Sonam Wangchuk, ANI reported. A video of the conversation has surfaced online, with Wangchuk urging Mahato to safeguard his health while continuing the democratic movement, following which the student leader drank water. In the call with Wangchuk, Mahato was heard saying, "... We have been on Satyagraha since July 25; I sat on the indefinite hunger strike on August 2nd. I was extremely exhausted—it was a critical time... Papers have been leaking here for 26 years... Yesterday, the doctor warned that if I didn't take water, I would have to be admitted to the hospital..." After hearing him, Wangchuk replied, "Please take some water; this is tantamount to suicide... You need some time, but it could be 2-3 weeks as well, and I hope that the government will understand and make the right decision."
Jharkhand job aspirants' protest intensifies as five more sit on hunger strike in Ranchi
Five people, including two women, have begun an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi as the protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, set to start on Thursday.
With these five protesters sitting on a hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Tuesday night under the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, the number of people on such a protest has risen to six.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto, at the same venue, entered the fourth day on Wednesday.
For the past 10 days, both the factions have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination, reforms in the commission as well as in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
They are also demanding an inquiry into exam irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
The spokesperson of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, Jivan Kumar, said, "Our five friends, including two women, went on hunger strike from Tuesday night to press for our demands."
A core committee meeting will be held shortly to decide on taking out a 'Tiranga March' in support of students' demands, he said.
Sabita Kumari, who is on hunger strike, said they were "forced" to resort to this type of protest since the government was not fulfilling their demands.
(With agency inputs)
