Patna NEET Protest: A day after violent clashes erupted during a student protest in Patna, Bihar Police registered FIRs against 500 unidentified persons and detained 40 protesters in connection with the
incident.
According to police, the cases have been registered at Kotwali, Gandhi Maidan and Secretariat police stations. Investigators are identifying those involved with the help of CCTV footage and videography captured during the protest.
Police alleged that protesters vandalised police and administrative vehicles during the violence. Authorities are also investigating the role of YouTubers and internet content creators in connection with the incident.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma said that anti-social elements had infiltrated the protest and were responsible for the violence. He had also stated that at least 22 police personnel were injured in the clashes, with some requiring hospital treatment.
“At least 22 police personnel have received injuries. Some of them have been discharged after first aid. Those with major injuries are still undergoing treatment at hospitals. Cases are being lodged. We expect the total number of FIRs to be in excess of 15,” Sharma told news agency PTI.
The protest, led mainly by activists of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), began at Gandhi Maidan with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against students in Delhi earlier this week.
As protesters attempted to march towards the high-security government zone, police stopped them at Dak Bungalow crossing using barricades. When the crowd refused to disperse, security personnel used tear gas, water cannons and batons to push them back. Stone-pelting was reported during the clashes, and some journalists were allegedly assaulted while covering the protest.
A section of the protesters also reached the Bihar BJP headquarters on Birchand Patel Marg, where stones were allegedly hurled, damaging several vehicles. Security was later tightened around the Secretariat and the Bihar Assembly complex as protesters attempted to enter the restricted VVIP zone.
