Patna: Police fired eight rounds in the air, lobbed tear gas shells and carried out a lathi charge after violence erupted at Patliputra railway station in Patna early on Sunday when candidates appearing for the Bihar Police Prohibition Constable recruitment examination clashed with security personnel, pelted stones and disrupted train services. Several police personnel, including central range Inspector General Jitendra Rana, sustained injuries in the violence that paralysed railway operations for hours.
The unrest began late Saturday night when hundreds of candidates gathered at the station, alleging inadequate transport arrangements and delays in train services that could prevent them from reaching their examination centres before the reporting time.
As the protest intensified, a group of candidates occupied railway tracks, halted train movement and demanded either a special train or postponement of the examination. The agitation severely affected train services with the Seemanchal Express, Madhubani Express and an examination special train remaining stranded for nearly five hours. Some protesters also climbed onto locomotive engines and obstructed railway operations. Senior officials of the GRP, RPF, district administration and local police rushed to the station and repeatedly appealed to the protesters to clear the tracks and allow train services to resume. Officials later arranged a special train after candidates raised the demand.
However, many candidates refused to board it, arguing they would still not reach their destinations on time and insisting the examination be cancelled.
The situation turned violent when sections of the crowd allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel and administrative officials. Several security personnel and passengers sustained injuries while govt property was damaged.
As the violence escalated, police used force to disperse the crowd. Officials said six tear gas shells were fired and eight rounds were discharged in the air to restore order and ensure the safety of passengers, including women and children present at the station.
Railway inspector general Amresh Kumar said many candidates had already boarded trains bound for north Bihar, but around 200 to 300 people remained at the station and blocked railway tracks while demanding additional arrangements.
Rana said police had repeatedly appealed to the protesters to clear the tracks and allow train services to resume, but some individuals refused to cooperate.
“Several officers, government personnel and some passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident during stone pelting,” he said.
He said an FIR was being registered and authorities were examining video footage and CCTV recordings to identify those responsible.
“Anyone found involved in the stone-pelting, disruption of train services or other unlawful activities will face strict legal action,” he said.
According to Rana, protesters prevented two special trains and the Seemanchal Express from departing despite repeated requests from officials.
“Only after the crowd was dispersed were the trains able to leave for their destinations. Most of the candidates travelling were scheduled to appear in the second shift of the examination and were expected to reach their centres on time,” he said.
The IG said investigators were also examining whether anti-social elements had infiltrated the gathering and played a role in escalating the violence.
“It is a matter of investigation whether all those involved were genuine candidates or whether anti-social elements were operating among them. Their conduct suggested they were unwilling to heed repeated appeals from the administration,” he said.
Patna DM Thiyagarajan SM said the administration had already arranged special train services for candidates and alleged anti-social elements mingled with the crowd and triggered the violence.
Following the police action, the protesters dispersed and authorities regained control of the situation. Railway operations gradually resumed and all affected trains were dispatched towards their destinations by around 6.20am.
The incident occurred hours before the commencement of the Bihar Police recruitment examinations being conducted by the Central Selection Board (Constable Recruitment) for 2,417 warder posts, 1,603 prohibition constable posts and 108 mobile squad constable posts across the state.
A woman passenger described scenes of panic during the violence.
“That few minutes were total chaos. We took shelter at the nearby shop as several stones came our way,” she said.
