Patna: A bombing incident shook Patna University late on Saturday night after tensions between students of Cavendish and Minto hostels escalated into violence. The clash, which began on Thursday, culminated in the detonation of four bombs around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, leaving the campus in a state of shock.
The conflict has been ongoing, with earlier confrontations between the two hostel groups. The latest altercation started at Sheetla Mandir near Krishnaghat, where students from both sides exchanged heated words, leading to a violent altercation. This was the third such clash since the dispute began earlier this week.
Authorities were quick to respond. The Pirbihore police detained 13 students in connection with the incident, with ongoing questioning. DSP Diksha confirmed the use of bombs and reported that bomb-making materials were discovered at the site.
One of the detained students, Dheeraj, hails from Aurangabad and comes from a financially disadvantaged background. Despite his family’s struggles, he had been living in the Minto hostel while preparing for his upcoming CIA exam. According to his friend, Dheeraj was detained during the police raid, which took place the night of the bombing.
Patna University’s hostels were officially closed following the murder of BN College student Harsh last year. Although the university issued an application for hostel accommodation from April 21-26, students had already begun occupying the premises illegally. The university administration has yet to officially reopen the hostels.
