Jharkhand’s Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Thursday paid a visit to student leader Devendra Nath Mahto at the Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, to take stock of his health as the latter has been on an indefinite strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. In a parallel development, the state government has stepped up efforts to engage with the protesting students. 

Tirkey asked Mahto about his well-being and held discussions on the issues driving the ongoing student movement, as well as the demands being raised by the protestors. The student leader, on the other hand, has sought permission from the hospital’s Civil Surgeon to visit the Satyagraha site at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda stadium, where students and young job aspirants are continuing with their agitation. 

Mahto says ‘Resolve’ remains at protest site

In the letter written to the Civil Surgeon, Mahto said that although his body was receiving treatment on a hospital bed, his ‘soul and resolve’ remained at the Satyagraha site. 

He added that his indefinite hunger strike had entered its 11th day, and he had been hospitalised after his health deteriorated following his participation in a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. 

Meanwhile, the health of four other students who resorted to hunger strikes is stable at present, officials said. A core committee member of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said two protesters, Habiba and Rahul Kranti, were admitted on Tuesday and August 7, respectively.

The hospital’s deputy superintendent said, “The health condition of all four students is stable. Check-ups and regular monitoring of their health are being done periodically.” He added that Mahto was continuing his fast but remained medically stable, while Kranti was taking a liquid diet.

600 protestors face FIR after clash with cops

The government outreach comes days after a tense confrontation unfolded outside the Jharkhand Assembly, where thousands of JPSC-JSSC job aspirants had marched on August 10, 2026. Police said they have registered an FIR against approximately 600 people, including 100 named accused and 500 unidentified protestors, post clashes. 

The case, according to police, has been lodged at the Assembly Police station, in which several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked. 

As per police, CCTV footage and other evidence were being examined to identify the ones allegedly involved in violence, inflicting damage on public property and disruption of law and order during the Assembly gherao. 

Police use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protestors

As protesting students tried to cross barricades and move towards the Assembly, police used tear gas, water cannons and baton charges to disperse the crowd. According to authorities, some demonstrators resorted to stone-pelting and violence. Protesters, however, hit back, saying that excessive force was used by police against largely peaceful job aspirants who were demanding answers over recruitment-related concerns.