Patna: Police in Patna used batons to disperse candidates protesting for sub-inspector and police recruitment on Monday, leaving at least one woman with a fractured leg. Witnesses said officers wielded a pipe painted with the tricolour during the lathicharge.
The demonstration began at Patna College, where candidates carrying the Indian flag marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence. They broke through barricades at JP Golambar and reached Dak Bunglow Crossing, chanting slogans against the state government. Police attempted to halt their march near Kotwali police station, prompting clashes. Several protesters reportedly refused to disperse despite the baton charge.
Roshan Anand, a teacher leading the protest, was briefly detained by police but released after candidates surrounded the vehicle he was placed in.
Anand said the protest was prompted by the government’s failure to announce vacancies for sub-inspector positions over the past two years. “Our demand is transparency in police inspector and constable recruitment. In Bihar, candidates as young as 17 are filling out these forms,” he said.
Student leader Khushboo Pathak called for immediate action, warning that the impending election code of conduct, due to take effect in 10 days, could end any chance of new recruitment. She also highlighted concerns over the lack of transparency in recent constable examinations, noting that candidates are not provided with question papers, answer keys, or OMR sheet copies. “This is an injustice to lakhs of unemployed youth,” she said.
Another student leader, Dilip Kumar, emphasised that candidates have a right to know how their responses were evaluated. “Tampering with the future of lakhs of unemployed youth will not be tolerated. The recruitment process must be conducted fairly, transparently, and honestly,” he said.
