NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Sunday urged youths protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment exams not to seek political patronage or allow their agitation to be politicised, saying dialogue, rather than batons, was the way to resolve issues.“Samvad and not ‘lathi-danda-bandook’ (dialogue, not batons), can solve all problems,” Soren said while addressing the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav in Ranchi.“Weapons are meant for enemies at the border. I promise the exam protesters that justice will be delivered with full transparency,” the chief minister added.Soren further warned political parties and those with “political ambitions” against misleading the protesting youths through lies and misinformation.“The stir should not be politicised; I warn those harbouring political ambitions against misguiding youths,” he said.“I urge youths not to seek political patronage (for their stir); justice is your right,” Soren added.The chief minister said the concerns of the protesting students were also his own and assured them that those found guilty of irregularities would face strict action. “Those guilty of irregularities will face strict action. We caught theft, will deliver justice,” he said.Soren also alleged that vested interests were attempting to disrupt democracy in Jharkhand and accused rival political parties, apparently referring to the BJP, of trying to mislead the state’s youth.
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The protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams entered their 16th day on Sunday, with six demonstrators on an indefinite hunger strike.A sixth round of talks between the state government and the agitators was held at the state guest house in Ranchi.The protesters are seeking reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), along with an independent probe into the alleged irregularities. They have demanded either a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.Soren also referred to the protests over the NEET exam paper leak at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, saying, “All saw how youths were tortured, had to face pellet guns, baton charges, and were declared traitors.”