Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A student leader on hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand was admitted to a hospital in Ranchi on Friday after his health deteriorated, an official said. Rahul Kranti, one of six protesters on fast, has been refusing food since Tuesday night.
The protest entered its 14th day on Friday, with two student unions announcing a march to the state assembly, which is in session. The demonstrators are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination, an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, and wider reforms in the state recruitment bodies.
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Kranti was taken to Ranchi Sadar Hospital in an ambulance. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi met Kranti and another protesting student, Brajkishor, at the hospital and enquired about their health. He also spoke to doctors and the civil surgeon to gather details about their condition and treatment.
In a statement, Marandi said, “I told the students under treatment that they should not sacrifice their lives just yet because of this obstinate government. They have a long battle ahead of them.”
Other BJP leaders, including Jharkhand Assembly chief whip Naveen Jaiswal, Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha and BJP vice-president Bhanu Pratap Shahi, also met the students at the hospital.
Health Minister Irfan Ansari also visited Sadar Hospital and interacted with a student undergoing treatment. In a social media post, he said, “Acting on the instructions of the Chief Minister Hemant Soren, I visited Ranchi Sadar Hospital and enquired about the health of Kranti and obtained details regarding his treatment from the doctors.”
He added, “They are our children. Their safety and health are our top priority. They are being provided with proper medical care, supported by a full medical team. Their treatment is underway under the supervision of specialist doctors.”
Earlier in the day, Kranti said the protesters had requested the administration for a health check-up, but no doctors had reached the protest site till 8.30 am. Five protesters, including two women, had joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto in his hunger strike on Tuesday night.
Mahto has been on fast for the past six days. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently observed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke to Mahto over the phone on Wednesday and urged him to at least drink water, after which Mahto started taking water.
The protesters have been seeking cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment test either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
They have also called for comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, as the agitation over the issue continued on Friday.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
