"NEET Leak Protest Turns Violent in Bihar: Tejashwi Accuses Police of Firing AK-47s at Students Amid Vandalism and Arson"

Statewide Bandh Turns Violent as Protesters Clash with Police in Bihar

Protests erupted in Bihar for the third consecutive day as a statewide bandh turned violent in several districts, including Patna, Siwan, and Chhapra. The agitation, sparked by the alleged NEET paper leak and recent police actions against student demonstrators, saw clashes between protesters and law enforcement persoel.

Bihar Assembly Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, alleged that police opened fire on students, claiming that even AK-47 rifles were used. However, these claims have not been independently verified. In response, police stated that they had used tear gas and limited force to restore order.

Confrontations were reported in Siwan, where protesters allegedly hurled stones and water bottles at police. In Patna, clashes broke out near Gandhi Maidan, resulting in the overturning of police vans and damage to public property. Former Bihar minister, Tej Pratap Yadav, was also detained during the protests.

Protesters also clashed with police in Chhapra, Aurangabad, Bettiah, and Lakhisarai. Despite the violence in some areas, demonstrations remained peaceful in Gaya, Nalanda, Saharsa, and other districts. The protests demanded accountability in the alleged paper leak case and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

In response to the ongoing protests, Pradhan aounced his resignation on Saturday afternoon. The Cockroach Janata Party, organizers of the protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, later aounced the withdrawal of protests. The bandh in Bihar followed clashes earlier in the week when police used water caons and tear gas to disperse protesting students.

With tensions ruing high in Bihar, The Indian Express continues to provide on-the-ground coverage of the protests and the developments in the state. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.