Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto during his indefinite hunger strike as part of a protest against the Jharkhand government over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, JSSC-CGL and other recruitment tests, in Ranchi, on Thursday. (PTI)As the protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s public service and staff selection commissions continue, Governor Santosh Gangwar has met Soren amid the rising student protests for wider reforms. This comes as a delegation of five protesters will meet the chief minister on Thursday, organisers said.“Honorable Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren JMM ji met today at Lok Bhawan and was apprised of the appointment processes of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), as well as matters related to the student movement,” a statement by the Lok Bhawan said. “The chief minister assured that the state government is committed to ensuring justice for the students. He stated that the government would ensure no injustice occurred against the youth and that necessary action would be taken.”The controversy began soon after the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) declared the preliminary examination results of the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination earlier this month. The Commission shortlisted 2,204 candidates for the Main examination against 103 vacancies, but allegations of irregularities began soon after. Around 3.5 lakh people took the exam. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren (right) meet Governor Santosh Gangwar (left) in Ranchi, on Wednesday. (Photo: @jhar_governor)At the heart of the protests, which come against the backdrop of the developments at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, are allegations of paper leaks in the exam. The Hemant Soren government has tried to act fast — 16 people have been arrested, and the Chief Minister has said they stand with the youth.Must Read | ‘Can’t leave without justice’: Protest brings Jharkhand’s job aspirants togetherA student delegation of five will meet the chief minister on Thursday, organisers of the protest said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the protests rocked the first day of the Monsoon Session in the Jharkhand Assembly, with BJP legislators wearing masks as a symbolic protest.The masks worn by the saffron party MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi, carried a printed message demanding the government’s reply over the alleged irregularities. Legislators have demanded a CBI probe into the allegations. A protester gets medical attention during an indefinite protest, at Jaipal Singh Stadium, in Ranchi, on Thursday. (PTI)The growing protests have led the chief minister to promise a thorough inquiry, saying on Wednesday that the question paper leak issues were a national problem.— With PTI inputsShubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More Tags:Jharkhand