Students admitted after prolonged fast; doctors monitoring vitals
Ranchi, Aug 12: Four student protesters who began a hunger strike to press their demands over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations are receiving treatment at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi and their condition is being described as stable, hospital officials said on Wednesday.
The group includes two protesters identified with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch — Habiba and Rahul Kranti — and two associated with the JSSC-Chhatra Manch, Devendra Nath Mahto and Mahendra Pratap. Habiba was admitted on Tuesday while Kranti was brought in on August 7 after his health declined. Mahto and Pratap are also under medical care at the same facility, the deputy superintendent said.
Hospital authorities said routine check-ups and regular monitoring are being carried out. The deputy superintendent reported that while most patients are stable, the medical team has advised nutritional support and close observation of vital signs.
"The health condition of all four students is stable. Check-ups and regular monitoring of their health are being done periodically,"
The hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Amrendra Prasad, confirmed that four students were receiving treatment and reiterated that their overall condition remained stable.
One of the protesters, Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for 11 days to highlight alleged recruitment irregularities, was admitted to the hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated following participation in a march to the Jharkhand Assembly. Medical staff said Mahto continued fasting inside the hospital, though his condition was reported stable.
Rahul Kranti, a resident of Palamu district who began fasting at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on August 4, was admitted on August 7. Kranti has been counselled by doctors and has since started consuming a liquid diet, including fruit juice and milk, with gradual improvement noted by treating physicians.
State Health Minister Irfan Ansari visited Sadar Hospital and urged students not to endanger their lives by continuing the hunger strike. He said the government has formed a team to hold dialogues with the protesters and promised ongoing engagement.
Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey also visited the hospital and met three of the four students. Officials said ministers and medical staff have been encouraging the protesters to take nourishment and consider negotiations rather than prolonged fasting.
Immediate medical and administrative response
Hospital sources said the medical response includes periodic clinical assessments and counselling by treating doctors. Where necessary, doctors have recommended a liquid dietary regimen and close observation to guard against complications of prolonged fasting.
For readers seeking clarity, the key publicly confirmed details are summarised below:
- Number of students admitted: 4
- Location: Sadar Hospital, Ranchi
- Reported status: Stable, under periodic monitoring
- Notable medical measures: Liquid diet for one patient; continued monitoring of vitals for others
| Protester | Affiliation | Admission date | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habiba | JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch | Admitted Tuesday (Aug 11) | Stable |
| Rahul Kranti | JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch | Admitted Aug 7 | On liquid diet; improving |
| Devendra Nath Mahto | JSSC-Chhatra Manch | Admitted Monday (Aug 10) | Still fasting; stable |
| Mahendra Pratap | JSSC-Chhatra Manch | Receiving treatment | Stable |
Medical experts caution that prolonged fasting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and organ dysfunction. In such cases, hospital teams typically provide intravenous fluids, electrolytes and monitored refeeding protocols when patients begin to take nutrition again.
Officials said the state government has initiated dialogue channels and formed a team to address the protesters’ complaints about alleged recruitment-examination irregularities, though details of the team’s composition and timeline for talks were not disclosed.
The situation remains under observation, with hospital staff and state ministers maintaining that safeguarding the students’ health is the immediate priority while administrative channels pursue negotiations.
