Security Tightened at Patliputra Station After Violent Exam Protest Incurs Heavy Damage

Patna: The massive protest that broke out at Patliputra Railway Station in Patna took a violent turn late Saturday night as candidates appearing for the recruitment exams for the Bihar Police Prohibition Department attacked security personnel after claiming a lack of transport facilities tailored specifically for them. 

With concerns about missing the Sunday morning exams because of congestion and late trains, the protestors started climbing aboard railway tracks and halted the operation of all trains. The troublemakers started pelting stones, pulling down emergency chains and causing extensive damage to coaches of an exam-special train heading for Katihar. 

Breakdown of the Clashes & Administrative Response

The unusual design and magnitude of the agitation necessitated the deployment of personnel from the Patna district administration and the state's security services:

• The Spark: More than 14 lakh students were expected in the state for the dual recruitment process. As crowds gathered on the platform, panic ensued as a 'exam-special train' was entirely inadequate to take in the number of students leading to blockades. 

• Casualties among the security forces: The top administrators quickly responded to the situation by arriving at the spot. As stones were hurled at the security personnel, the inspector general Jitendra Rana and the incharge of the Rupaspur police station were injured. 

• Containing the Situation: In order to contain the aggressive crowd, the security forces used teargas shells, baton charges, and even resorted to firing three warning shots into the air.

Timeline Matrix of the Unrest