Police use water cannons, light force to disperse BPSC protesters in Patna

Patna, police on Sunday used water cannons and light force to disperse protesters demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission examination held here on December 13.

The protesters, who were joined earlier in the day by Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishore at Gandhi Maidan, tried to march towards the chief minister’s residence in the evening, prompting police to take action, District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said.

The protesters also tried to jump the barricades while marching from Gandhi Maidan to JP Golumber, he added.

“Protesters gathered at Gandhi Maidan despite the administration’s warning that any demonstration there would be considered unauthorized. The district police have registered an FIR against 21 known people, including Prashant Kishore, his party president Manoj Bharti, city-based teacher Ramanshu Mishra and 600 people. -700 unknown persons for holding a student meeting at Gandhi Maidan even after being denied permission by the authorities,” the DM told PTI.

Kishore, who arrived in the afternoon and left after about an hour, criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for “going to Delhi on a private visit but not having time for the youth of his own state”.

He also suggested that students start a “rapid relay” so that fewer people risk their health for the cause.

“The CM has no time to listen to the grievances of the protesting aspirants and has gone to Delhi. The protest will continue until their demand to cancel the exam is accepted. I am always with the protesting students,” Kishore said. while addressing BPSC aspirants.

Some protesters were detained by police near JP Golumber when they refused to clear the roads.

“Water cannons and light force were used to disperse the protesters as some of them blocked traffic by laying on the roads near JP Golumber,” the DM said.

The DM said, “The government has been sensitive to the concerns of the youth. The chief secretary has agreed to meet a five-member delegation endorsed by the BPSC aspirants, who have pressed for an audience with the CM or some senior official tall. But the protesters seemed disorganized and unable to nominate five people.”

Talking to reporters, a BPSC aspirant said, “We never expected the government to treat us like this. We are fighting for our own rights…we have nothing to do with those who come here to support our agitation for political gains. “.

The police also arrested two guardians from Patna – Ramanshu Mishra and Rohan Anand – on charges of instigating the students, said a top police officer in Patna district.

“Both are out on conditional bail and undergoing treatment as they are unwell,” an official said.

The candidates, who have been protesting for days, are demanding the cancellation of the 70th Combined Integrated Competitive Examination over allegations of a leak of question papers in all centres, arguing that re-examination in a single center would be unfair.

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