The Jharkhand Criminal Investigation Department on Monday conducted raids at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission office in Ranchi as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in various recruitment examinations.
CID Additional Director General Manoj Kaushik confirmed that the searches were being carried out in connection with the alleged examination irregularities.
“We are conducting raids at the JSSC office in connection with alleged irregularities in various examinations,” Kaushik said.
The raids came as job aspirants continued their protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. The agitation, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, has entered its 24th day.
The protesters have been demanding a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
The state CID has already arrested 20 people in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Those arrested include former JPSC chairman L Khiangte.
The development also comes amid renewed talks between the Jharkhand government and protesting student groups. The protesters had on Sunday burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, expressing dissatisfaction over the government's handling of their demands.
Rahul Gandhi urges Soren to meet students
The ongoing agitation has also drawn the intervention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who wrote to Soren urging him to personally meet representatives of the protesting students.
Gandhi said he appreciated the state government's decision to initiate dialogue through a committee constituted by the chief minister and noted that there was agreement on several of the students' demands.
However, he pointed out that the protests were continuing and some students remained on indefinite hunger strike.
“I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students. This will help reinforce the government's commitment to resolve their remaining concerns,” Gandhi said in his letter.
He urged Soren to hear the students out and take appropriate steps to resolve the remaining issues.
The Congress leader also said his party supported the right to peaceful protest and had backed students protesting against alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the education system.
The latest CID action comes as the government faces continued pressure from protesting aspirants to address their allegations and take action over the recruitment examination process.
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