Patna: More than 350 students and other detainees arrested during protests linked to the NEET issue in Bihar have been released after the state government withdrew cases registered against them. Many of those released alleged they faced harassment in custody, while their families claimed several people were detained despite not participating in the protests.
A total of 144 detainees were released from Patna’s Beur Jail on Wednesday, while the remaining releases took place across multiple districts. The arrests had followed protests during the Bihar Bandh over the NEET issue.
Students Allege Harassment in Custody
Shantanu Shekhar, President of the Patna University Students’ Union, said his experience inside Beur Jail was traumatic.
“Conditions in the jail were terrible. I was beaten and harassed. Students were kept alongside criminals. This isn’t right. The government has released us. I don’t even know what charges were brought against me. Eighteen police vehicles arrived and picked me up from my home,” he said.
Shekhar said he and other students had remained in jail since July 22 before being released. He added that the students were kept separately during their detention.
Several released students also alleged that police personnel verbally abused them and threatened to ruin their lives.
Families Describe Shock Over Arrests
Outside Beur Jail, parents and relatives waited for hours to receive their children.
Mithilesh Rai from Vaishali said his son, Manish Kumar, who was preparing for government examinations, was arrested during the protest.
“My son is preparing for a government job. The police arrested him during the protest and sent him to jail. I am deeply worried,” he said.
Arjun Rai, also from Vaishali, said his 24-year-old son, Kunal Kumar Raj, a first-year law student, was taken into custody and sent to jail.
Nikhat, whose son Shadab Malik was detained, recalled his emotional farewell.
“He was crying continuously when the police were taking him away. As he left, he told me, ‘Mother, take care of yourself. Eat your meals on time,'” she said.
Mohammad Waseer alleged that his cousin was detained while stepping out of a clinic during the Bihar Bandh.
Raj Kumar from Sitamarhi said his son, who had been returning from coaching classes, was arrested during the July 25 protest and taken to Beur Jail.
Political Reaction
MLA Sandeep Saurabh was released late on Wednesday night and was welcomed by supporters outside Beur Jail.
His wife, Divya, criticised the government’s handling of the arrests.
“The treatment meted out to the students goes against the principles of democracy. The government will have to face the political consequences of this action,” she said.
Darbhanga Releases Completed
In Darbhanga, police arrested 33 people during the protests, including 18 minors and 15 adults.
The minors were released after signing bonds. Two adults secured release on Tuesday, while the remaining 13 were released on Wednesday after spending time in judicial custody.
Family members remained outside the jail throughout the day awaiting their release.
Claims of Wrongful Arrests
Several families alleged their relatives had been detained despite having no involvement in the demonstrations.
Amit Chaudhary said he had travelled to Darbhanga with a friend to purchase medicines when police began detaining people near a pharmacy.
He said he escaped, but his friend Arjun Sah was arrested despite not participating in the protest. Chaudhary also alleged that his friend’s mobile phone remained in police custody.
Irshad, who travelled from Kharagpur after learning of his brother Irfan’s arrest, said his brother had been returning from a relative’s home when he was detained. He said Irfan was preparing for competitive examinations.
Families Waited Outside Chhapra Jail
Relatives also gathered outside Chhapra Divisional Jail throughout Wednesday before detainees were released late at night.
Uday Rai said his son Rohit, recovering from ear surgery, had been travelling to Varanasi to obtain medicines when he was detained.
Jagjivan Ram alleged that police arrested his matriculation-student son, Amresh Ram, at midnight on July 25, accusing him of participating in the protest.
Asrunisha said her 22-year-old son, Manzoor Alam, had left home to buy medicines carrying Rs 3,000 and a doctor’s prescription when he was detained.
Government Withdraws 64 FIRs
According to the state government, 64 FIRs were registered across 20 districts, including Patna, during two days of protests.
On Monday, the Home Department announced that all cases linked to the protests would be withdrawn and those arrested would be released.
Following the decision, police headquarters submitted a district-wise list of FIRs to the Home Department, which forwarded it to Advocate General SD Sanjay Kumar.
On Tuesday, the Advocate General directed District Magistrates and Public Prosecutors in all 20 districts to urgently initiate the withdrawal of all 64 FIRs registered up to 6 pm on July 26, clearing the way for the detainees’ release.
