Uttarakhand Paper Leak Protest: After CM Intervenes, Demonstrators Call off Stir, Give Govt time Till Oct 10
The Wire Staff
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New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday (September 29) met government job who were protesting an alleged paper leak in the state and promised to fulfil their demand for a CBI probe, which led to the demonstrators calling off their strike until October 10.
While visiting the Parade Ground where the protest was being held, Dhami made an emotional appeal to the demonstrators, saying he understood that the youth and students of Uttarakhand worked hard to prepare for government jobs, reported Indian Express.
Dhami said the alleged paper leak was already being investigated by an SIT under the supervision of a retired high court judge.
“U C Dhyani ji is overseeing the work, and the committee has also begun its work. However, since the youth are still demanding a CBI inquiry, the government will recommend a CBI probe into the matter. There will be no obstacle in this,” said Dhami.
On September 25, thousands had started demonstrating against the alleged paper question paper leak in Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) examination on September 21.
The protests from Haridwar, soon spread to Uttarkashi, Almora, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Karnaprayag and Haldwani.
The CM has called the agitation a “conspiracy” and an attempt to create “unrest” in the state.
He went as far as to term this a “copy-jihad”. The state government though, has been forced to constitute a Special Investigative Team (SIT) on September 24, to explore events behind the charges and it is said, will submit its report in a month.
After Dhami’s intervention, the protesters, who have demanded the cancellation of the examination, called off their strike till October 10, said that they will reconvene if needed.
“We have decided to reconvene on October 10 if the demands remain unmet. The protests across the state will be called off till then,” said Tribhuvan Chauhan of the Swabhiman Morcha, reported Indian Express.
The Congress said it was not satisfied with Dhami’s announcement on recommending a CBI probe into the UKSSSC paper leak case, and that the party would go ahead with its march to the CM’s residence on October 3.
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