Patna: For several hours on Saturday, Gandhi Maidan and the areas around it in Patna stayed tense as calls for a Bihar Bandh gained momentum. From early morning, students began arriving at the venue from multiple directions, only to find that police had already taken up positions in full strength. Barricades had been set up, and officers kept a close watch on everyone entering the area. As more people gathered, tensions began to rise, and a few protesters attempted to push past the police barriers despite being told to stay back.
Meanwhile, pushing and shoving started, and soon stones started being thrown. Seeing the situation worsening, the police resorted to a lathi charge and pushed the crowd back. Many students were detained from the spot, while RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav was also taken away by the police.
Why did it become difficult for students to reach Gandhi Maidan?
The protest had already been announced, so the police had surrounded Gandhi Maidan. Barricades were put up on many routes, and every incoming group was being checked. Students kept trying to reach the grounds through different streets and roads, but most were stopped midway. At many places, the protesters were removed from the place by sitting in police vehicles so that the crowd could not gather at one place.
How did the situation of stone pelting come about?
Eyewitnesses say that initially there was only sloganeering. The dispute escalated when some protesters removed the barricades and started moving forward. The police tried to stop them, following which a heated argument took place between the two parties. Within a few minutes, the situation went out of control, and stone pelting started. After this, the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. There was an atmosphere of chaos in the entire area for some time, and the people present nearby also moved towards safe places.
Why was Tej Pratap Yadav taken into custody?
Meanwhile, RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav, who had come to support the students, was also moving towards Gandhi Maidan. The police stopped them from going further and, after some time, detained them and removed them from there. Before going into custody, he said that the voice of the students cannot be suppressed and he will stand firmly with them. After his detention, the opposition raised questions on the government’s action, while the administration said that no person can be allowed to influence law and order.
Was there tension only in Patna?
The impact of the demonstration was not limited to the capital. Students also demonstrated in many districts including Bhagalpur, Chhapra, Saharsa and Aurangabad. At some places there was a road jam, and at some places there was a scuffle between the police and the protesters. The situation was continuously monitored by deploying additional police forces in sensitive areas. The administration gave clear instructions to the officials that immediate action should be taken on any untoward incident.
What will happen next?
Police are examining video recordings, CCTV footage and other digital evidence of the entire incident. Legal action will be taken against those who are identified in violence or stone pelting. On the other hand, student organisations are adamant about their demands and say that the movement will continue until their views are heard. In such a situation, this movement can remain a big challenge for both politics and law and order in Bihar in the coming days.
