Overview
- Government ministerial talks with multiple student groups produced no settlement as the agitation entered its 15th day on Saturday and protesters vowed to continue until their demands are met.
- Protesters led by Devendra Nath Mahto demand cancellation of the disputed 14th JPSC exam, an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges, and sweeping transparency changes to JPSC and JSSC processes.
- A fresh round of government-student talks was scheduled for Sunday at noon after five inconclusive meetings, a move that the leading JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch called an attempt to divide the movement.
- Investigations have led to 19 arrests so far and repeated questioning of former JPSC chair L Khiangte, while Mahto and at least five other protesters on indefinite hunger strike have seen worsening health and medical advice for hospital care.
- The wider mobilisation now includes NSUI, JCM, ACS, AISA and ABVP and has produced planned Assembly marches on August 10 and 11, raising the risk of greater political contestation and further disruption to the state recruitment calendar.