Ranchi: The ongoing student protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand has entered a new phase, with the agitating students expressing their willingness to hold talks with the state government. However, they have placed two key conditions before agreeing to formal discussions. The protesters have demanded that the meeting be held directly with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and that at least two media representatives remain present throughout the interaction to ensure complete transparency.

The agitation, which has continued for nearly two weeks, is centred around alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recruitment process and other competitive examinations. Hundreds of students have been staging a sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, demanding an independent investigation into the recruitment controversy and action against those responsible.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan said government officials approached the protesters with a proposal for dialogue. According to him, the administration has sought the names of student representatives so that a meeting can be scheduled. Once the list is finalised, the government is expected to communicate the date and venue for the talks.

Despite agreeing in principle to negotiations, the students have accused the government of attempting to weaken the movement by inviting only a limited delegation. Protest leaders argued that restricting the meeting to a small group of representatives could dilute the concerns of the larger student community and therefore insisted that the entire process remain open and transparent.

The protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium entered its 13th day, with several students continuing an indefinite hunger strike. Among them, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato and five others remain on fast, demanding a fair investigation into the alleged examination irregularities. The protesters have reiterated their demand that the matter be investigated by agencies such as the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Meanwhile, the investigation into the recruitment examination case has continued to gather pace. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested five more accused late on Wednesday, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 19. Officials are continuing their probe into the alleged paper leak and examination-related irregularities.

Health concerns have also emerged during the ongoing agitation. Devendra Nath Mahato's condition reportedly deteriorated after several days of fasting, with doctors observing a drop in his blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Medical personnel attending the protest administered intravenous fluids after monitoring his condition.

On Wednesday, Mahato also interacted with social activist Sonam Wangchuk through a video call. During the conversation, Wangchuk appealed to the fasting students to take care of their health while continuing their democratic protest. Following the appeal, Mahato agreed to drink water but maintained that his indefinite hunger strike would continue until the students' demands were addressed.

The controversy began after the Jharkhand Public Service Commission declared the results of the 14th Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination on July 2. A total of 2,204 candidates qualified for the Main Examination, which was scheduled to be conducted between July 18 and July 20.

Soon after the results were announced, several candidates alleged irregularities in the selection process. Among the issues raised were the non-publication of the official cut-off marks and the circulation of a purported OMR sheet on social media. The viral document allegedly showed that a candidate who had attempted only a limited number of questions had still qualified for the Main Examination.

Questions were also raised over the absence of signatures from authorised commission officials on the published result documents. As the controversy intensified and demands for greater transparency grew, the JPSC eventually cancelled the scheduled Main Examination.

In response to the escalating protests, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has already constituted a four-member ministerial committee to engage with the agitating students. The panel includes Higher Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, Welfare Minister Chamara Linda, and Industries Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav.

The Chief Minister also held a meeting with the ministers to discuss the situation and explore possible solutions before extending an invitation for dialogue to the student representatives. Although initial discussions did not result in a breakthrough, both sides now appear willing to continue efforts toward a negotiated resolution.

With the protest gathering wider public attention and the investigation continuing, the coming days are expected to be crucial as the government and student representatives prepare for direct talks.

Patna unrest over alleged inadequate arrangements led to stone-pelting and police firing in air; exam proceeds at 500 centres

A recruitment examination for Bihar police constables was marred by violent scenes at Patliputra Junction late Saturday night after hundreds of candidates staged a protest alleging inadequate transport arrangements, officials said. At least six people have been arrested and railway and police personnel suffered injuries as trains were briefly blocked and an exam-special rake was damaged.

Protest erupts at night

According to railway and district officials, the disturbance began around midnight when a group of aspirants — estimates range from 200 to 300 — moved onto the tracks and prevented Madhubani and Seemanchal Express services from departing. Initial reports indicate the demonstrators repeatedly pulled emergency chains and demanded additional special trains despite authorities saying two special services had been arranged earlier.

“Repeated appeals were made to the crowd to vacate tracks and allow trains to run,” Patna District Magistrate Dr. Tyagrajan said. After the protesters refused to disperse, local police used mild force; officials said tear gas shells were fired and police discharged rounds in the air to control the situation.

Damage and injuries

Railway Inspector General Amresh Kumar said stones were hurled at police and trains, and glass panes of the exam-special train were smashed. Railway IG Jitendra Rana sustained a neck injury during stone pelting, officials confirmed. Five other police personnel were treated for injuries, the IG added.

Eyewitness Sanjay Kumar Sharma, who owns a shop opposite the platform, told reporters early Sunday morning that his premises were vandalised during the unrest. “Large stones were thrown inside the shop. I narrowly escaped,” he said. Photographs from the scene showed shattered glass and stones scattered across the platform.

Arrests and FIRs

Police have arrested six candidates in connection with the violence, Railway IG Amresh Kumar said. An FIR has been filed naming around 500 unidentified persons allegedly involved in stone pelting and obstruction of railway operations. Sources familiar with the matter said officers are reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements to identify more suspects.

“Those found responsible will be prosecuted. We have to ensure safety of commuters and examinees,” a senior railway official said on condition of anonymity.

Exam continues at scale

Despite the disruption at Patliputra, authorities said the recruitment test is underway across Bihar. The written examination is being conducted at roughly 500 centres with more than 16 lakh candidates vying for 4,128 vacancies — including 2,417 constable, 1,603 excise constable and 108 mobile squad constable posts. The test runs through 17 June in two shifts daily.

Entry at Patna centres began at 8 am Sunday, with strict security checks reported at several venues. At some centres candidates were required to remove shoes and were not allowed to carry mobile phones or pens; invigilators are providing writing instruments and separate question papers and OMR sheets for each shift, officials said.

Ground-level grievances

Several examinees and local residents described logistical problems and long travel distances to allotted centres. Manish Kumar, who travelled from Sultanpurganj in Bhagalpur, described the exam venue in Chitkohra as poorly managed and said there was no secure place to leave belongings; informal carriers were reportedly charging up to ₹300 for safekeeping.

Railway IG Amresh Kumar said a special train reached the station at about 2:10 am after talks with senior officials, but by then tensions had escalated. Officials also said the state DGP advised counselling and assurances that candidates who missed the test could be accommodated later; protesters did not accept the proposal, the IG said.

Public impact and next steps

Train services at Patliputra were restored by early Sunday morning and officials said the situation is under control. Authorities have appealed for calm and urged candidates to cooperate with invigilation teams. Investigations into the violence are ongoing, and more arrests are likely as footage is analysed.

Rail and district administrations said they will review arrangements for candidate transport and on-site logistics ahead of remaining exam days to prevent repeat disruptions. Local residents and shopkeepers affected by the violence have demanded prompt action and compensation for damages.