Patna Police Use Water Cannons, Lathi Charge On Protesting BPSC Candidates

Patna: A protest by BPSC candidates in Bihar's capital city Patna, turned violent when police used lathi charges and water cannons to disperse the protesters late Sunday evening. Several candidates reportedly were injured in the clash. According to the reports, the police resorted to lathi charges on the protesters, who were reportedly demanding a re-examination for the 70th BPSC exam. As per the police, the cops used mild force to disperse protesters demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam, which was held on December 13. 

The protest, which took place at Gandhi Maidan, turned tense when the demonstrators attempted to march towards the Chief Minister's residence. In order to block them from marching forward towards CM's residence, the police resorted to a lathi charge on Sunday.

According to SP Patna City Sweety Sahrawat, the police had requested the protesters to vacate the area, but they refused to listen. The police also offered to hear their demands, but the situation escalated when the protesters pushed the police, prompting them to use water cannons.

Jan Suraaj Party Chief Prashant Kishor Joined The Protest On Sunday

The protesters were demanding a re-exam for the 70th BPSC exam, citing concerns over the exam format and the use of normalisation of marks. However, the BPSC had earlier issued a statement denying the use of normalisation and stating that the exam would be conducted in a single shift.

Meanwhile, the BPSC candidates are likely to continue their protest, demanding a re-exam and action against the police personnel involved in the lathi charge.

The protesters were joined earlier in the day by Prashant Kishore, founder of the Jan Suraaj party, who supported the students' demand for the cancellation of the exam. However, as the evening progressed, the protesters tried to breach barricades and continue their march towards JP Golumber. The police intervened to prevent the march and manage the growing crowd.

District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said that despite warnings from the administration, the protesters gathered at Gandhi Maidan without permission. The police have registered an FIR against 21 individuals, including Prashant Kishor, his party president Manoj Bharti, and tutor Ramanshu Mishra, along with hundreds of unknown persons for organizing the protest.

Prashant Kishore, while speaking to the protesters, criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for being in Delhi instead of addressing the issues of the youth in Bihar. He urged the students to continue their protest, even suggesting a "relay fast" to keep the cause alive without risking people's health.

Some protesters were detained near JP Golumber after blocking traffic. Police used water cannons and mild force to clear the area as the protesters refused to vacate the roads.

The protests stem from allegations of a question paper leak during the BPSC's 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). Students are demanding the cancellation of the exam, claiming that re-examinations in only one centre would be unfair to all candidates.

The government has assured that it is sensitive to the concerns of the students. The Chief Secretary has agreed to meet a five-member delegation of BPSC aspirants, but the protesters have not yet been able to nominate the five representatives for the meeting.

In addition, two Patna-based tutors, Ramanshu Mishra and Rohan Anand, were arrested on charges of instigating the students. Both have been released on conditional bail and are receiving medical treatment.

The protests are expected to continue as the students remain firm in their demand for the cancellation of the BPSC exam.