Jharkhand Protesters Demand Chief Minister’s Resignation, Threaten Residence Siege

Job aspirants in India’s Jharkhand state have announced plans to intensify their ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and have threatened to surround his official residence on August 20 if their demands are not met.

The announcement was made on Saturday (August 15) by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. Spokesperson Piyush Singh said accountability must be ensured for the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. He accused the government of failing to take meaningful action despite their prolonged protests.

Earlier, students staged a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in protest against alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Saturday marked the 22nd day of their indefinite protest.

The protesters are demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged irregularities. They have also urged the Congress to withdraw its support from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance.

Protest leader Ravindra Paswan said they would surround the chief minister’s official residence on August 20 and continue their sit-in until their demands are addressed.

The protesters have also demanded either a CBI investigation or an independent inquiry by a committee comprising retired judges from outside Jharkhand.