Jharkhand exam stir: Health condition of protesters on hunger strike stable, say officials

RANCHI: The health condition of four student protesters who were on hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and are undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital here is stable, officials said on Wednesday.

A core committee member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said two protesters, Habiba and Rahul Kranti, who have also been on hunger strike, are undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital. Habiba was admitted on Tuesday, while Kranti was taken to the hospital on August 7.

Two other protesters, Devendra Nath Mahto and Mahendra Pratap, who were on hunger strike and receiving treatment in the same hospital, are protesting under the banner of JSSC-Chhatra Manch.

"The health condition of all four students is stable. Check-ups and regular monitoring of their health are being done periodically," the deputy superintendent of Sadar Hospital said.

He said Mahto was still fasting, but his health condition was stable, while Kranti was taking a liquid diet.

Mahto has been on hunger strike for the past 11 days to protest alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

He was admitted to the hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated following his participation in a march to the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi by agitating students.

"We urged Mahto to take food, but he has refused," Singh said.

Kranti told PTI that he had started taking a liquid diet, including fruit juice and milk, after doctors counselled him.

He said his health condition was gradually improving.

Kranti, a resident of Palamu district, began his fast at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on August 4 and was brought to the hospital on August 7 after his health deteriorated.

State Health Minister Irfan Ansari told reporters on Wednesday that he had visited the hospital and met the protesters undergoing treatment.

He further said two more protesters were taken to the hospital after their health deteriorated on Tuesday evening.

"I am urging students not to risk their lives by sitting on a hunger strike. The government has already constituted a team, dialogues have been held, and more will be held," Ansari said.

The hospital’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Amrendra Prasad said four students are receiving treatment and their condition is stable.