Patna, July 25: A statewide bandh called by left-wing student organisations over the alleged NEET examination paper leak witnessed protests and sporadic violence in several parts of Bihar on Saturday, prompting authorities to strengthen security and deploy additional police personnel across sensitive districts.
Demonstrations were organised by student groups, including the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA), demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and protesting against recent police action on students.
According to officials, clashes between protesters and police were reported from Patna, Siwan, Saran, Aurangabad and Bhagalpur.
In several places, demonstrators allegedly blocked roads, damaged public property and pelted stones at security personnel, leading police to use crowd-control measures, including baton charges and tear gas, to disperse the gatherings.
In Patna, police detained several protesters after a demonstration near a major intersection turned tense. Authorities said some participants attempted to breach barricades, forcing security personnel to intervene.
As a precaution, the district administration ordered the closure of private schools for the day and increased security in key locations.
Former Bihar minister and Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav was taken into preventive custody while extending support to the protesting students.
In Siwan, demonstrations led to confrontations between protesters and police. Officials said security personnel used tear gas and other crowd-control measures to restore order after violence broke out.
Police also began collecting video evidence to identify those involved in the clashes.Incidents of stone-pelting, vandalism and road blockades were also reported from Saran, Aurangabad and Bhagalpur.
Several police personnel were injured during the unrest, while authorities detained a number of protesters in connection with the violence.
Officials said damaged public property and vehicles were being assessed.Meanwhile, demonstrations in districts including Samastipur, Nawada, Nalanda and Madhepura remained largely peaceful despite road blockades, slogan-shouting and temporary disruptions to normal movement.
The Bihar government maintained heavy police deployment across the state, with riot control units and additional security personnel stationed in sensitive areas.
Flag marches were conducted in several districts to reassure residents and prevent further disturbances.Student organisations maintained that the bandh was aimed at demanding a transparent investigation into the alleged NEET paper leak and accountability for examination-related irregularities.
They also criticised the handling of recent student protests by law enforcement agencies.
Police said investigations into the incidents of violence are underway and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible for attacks on security personnel, vandalism and damage to public property.
Authorities added that the overall situation had been brought under control, though security remains on alert across the state.
