RANCHI: The protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Friday, with six students continuing their hunger strike. Meanwhile, two student organisations announced plans to march towards the state Assembly, which is currently in session.The development comes amid a deadlock between the protesting aspirants and the state government, with students claiming that they have not received any formal invitation for talks to address their concerns.

Student Rahul Kranti, who has been on hunger strike, said his health condition had deteriorated due to prolonged fasting.He claimed he was suffering from severe weakness and headaches and alleged that medicines prescribed by a medical team had not been provided despite assurances."A team of doctors visited yesterday evening and I informed them about my condition. They prescribed medicines, but the government medical team did not provide them. They said they would arrange them within two to three hours, but an entire night has passed and we are still waiting," Kranti told PTI.Protesters seek direct meeting with CM Hemant SorenKranti said the protesting students were not interested in closed-door discussions and wanted chief minister Hemant Soren to meet them directly at the protest site.

"We do not want discussions behind closed doors. We want the Chief Minister to come to us. We are his children and the people of the state," he said.The student leader urged Soren to publicly address their demands and announce an investigation into examinations conducted during his government's first and second terms."Our demands publicly, and announce that all examinations conducted during the Hemant Soren government's first and second terms will be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

That is our only demand. He only needs to come for five minutes and speak to us," Kranti added.Rejecting any suggestion of violence or misconduct, Kranti said the movement had remained peaceful since its beginning."We are his children and the people of the state. Does he consider us terrorists that he cannot come among us? We have conducted our protest peacefully, and there has not been a single complaint that we have resorted to violence or made any bad statements," he added.The agitation has increased political pressure on the Hemant Soren-led government, with opposition parties raising questions over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and demanding accountability.The demonstrators have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

They have sought a probe either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a committee of retired High Court judges from outside the state.The protesters have also called for comprehensive reforms in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) to ensure transparency in future recruitment examinations.(With agency inputs)