Ramgarh/ Ranchi, Aug 24 (PTI) Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto-led JPSC-JSSC Abhyarthi Nyay Manch on Monday launched its statewide campaign for reforms in recruitment examinations from Jharkhand's Ramgarh district amid a protest by locals.Mahto kicked off the campaign from Lukaiyatand in Nemra, Chief Minister Hemant Soren's native village, after paying tributes to JMM founder and former chief minister Shibu Soren.Nemra residents staged a road blockade around 3 km away from the campaign venue to protest the Manch's alleged plans to burn effigies of Hemant Soren Mahto, along with Manch members, paid tributes to Shibu Soren's statue by washing his feet and offering 'akshat' (sacred rice) and garlands as part of a traditional tribal ritual.They also raised slogans of 'Shibu Soren Amar Rahe'."Taking blessings of Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, we are launching the 'JPSC-JSSC Corruption-Free Recruitment' campaign from today. It aims to demand fair, transparent and corruption-free recruitment systems. The campaign will cover all 24 districts of the state, strengthening our voice," Mahto told reporters The campaign will raise demands to check recruitment scams, take action against the corrupt, crack down on the paper-leak mafia and ensure justice for youths, he said.

He said the campaign would be peaceful and democratic "Students across the state are enthusiastic and hopeful about this campaign, believing it will secure justice for them and bring transparency in the recruitment examination system," Mahto claimed.On FIRs against protesting students, Mahto said, "FIRs cannot silence our voice or suppress our agitation. It will continue till our demands are met."Regarding the Supreme Court's notice to the state government, he said, "It is part of the legal process, and the government will respond accordingly." He said they want the government to take a stand for students' concerns in court.

"During our campaign, a legal team will also accompany us to help students who want to become interveners in the ongoing case here," he added Earlier, armed with traditional weapons and sticks, locals blocked the road leading to the Nemra village "We staged a road blockade to prevent Mahto from entering Nemra," villager Birju Soren saidHe said they received information that Mahto would burn effigies of the CM in the village.When told that Mahto was coming to launch his statewide campaign for reforms in recruitment examinations, Birju Soren said, "Mahto may begin his campaign from the statue of Shibu Soren located outside the village, but we will not allow him to enter." A representative of Mahto said they did not enter the village.Mahto was one of the prominent faces of the 26-day student protest that began on July 25 in Ranchi against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.The JMM-led government cancelled 22 tests and ordered a probe into 23 others conducted by the state public service commission and an outsourced agency since 2014.However, the high court on August 21 stayed notifications cancelling the appointments of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and those recruited through the JSSC-CGL examination.On August 20, the court stayed notifications cancelling the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations and also stayed the order cancelling the appointments of food safety officers.

Agencies