Activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to a Jharkhand job aspirant on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged recruitment exam irregularities to at least drink water, as protests demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination continue to gather momentum. Acting on Wangchuk's advice, Mahto drank water on the fourth day of his hunger strike. The protest intensified on Tuesday night when five more people, under the banner of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, began an indefinite hunger strike. JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar said five people, including two women, joined the hunger strike on Tuesday night to press for the group's demands. Among those fasting, Sabita Kumari said they were "forced" to adopt the hunger strike as the government had not acted on their demands.