On August 25, in Patna, students tried to gherao CM House demanding changes in BPSC TRE-4 exam, removal of negative marking and 100% domicile. Police used water cannon and force.
Patna: There was a clash between students protesting against the demands of BPSC TRE-4 and the police at Dakbungla intersection on Tuesday. The students tried to break the barricades and move forward, after which the police used lathi charge and water cannon. There is information that several policemen, including the Town DSP, were injured in stone pelting during the demonstration, while a student suffered a head injury.
Students came out to surround CM House
The march of students protesting against BPSC TRE-4 examination started from Gandhi Maidan on Tuesday. The students proceeded to surround the CM House. The administration had deployed a large number of police and CRPF personnel along with barricades at JP Golambar and Dakbungla intersection.
Students broke the barricading at JP Golambar and moved towards Dakbungalow. Here the police tried to stop them by putting up an iron shield. There was also a scuffle between the protesters and the police.
After reaching Dak Bungalow the situation became tense. Police used water cannon and later lathicharge to control the crowd. Some protesters were detained by the police and made to sit in buses.
Policemen including DSP injured in stone pelting
Information about stone pelting by students has come to light during the demonstration. Many policemen including Patna Town DSP Kamakhya Narayan Singh were injured in this.
At the same time, during the use of force, a student suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital by his friends. Information was also given that a student had become unconscious. During the demonstration, some students were also seen taking bath after applying shampoo amidst the shower of water cannon.
In view of the situation, MPV i.e. Mine Protector Vehicle was also deployed at Dak Bungalow. Such vehicles are generally used in Naxal affected areas.
Students’ demands and government’s stance
The protesters are raising several demands including arrangement of PT and Mains in TRE-4, removal of negative marking and 100% domicile. Students say that like TRE-1, TRE-2 and TRE-3, there should be a single exam in TRE-4.
The students claim that they have been sitting on strike in Gardanibagh for several days and are demanding action from the government on their demands. On the other hand, Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said that the issues raised by the students have been resolved.
Due to the demonstration, traffic was affected in many major areas of Patna. SSP Karthikeya Sharma said that after explaining the students, they were removed from Dakbungalow intersection and assurance was given that their views would be conveyed to the concerned authorities.
Meanwhile, controversy also arose over the controversial statement given by BPSC Exam Controller Rajesh Kumar Singh on the performance of students. Later he released the video and apologized. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has given instructions to suspend him.