Patna: Police in the eastern Indian state of Bihar have arrested eight students following a late-night raid on a university hostel in Patna, days before student union elections that authorities say have heightened tensions on campus.
Officers conducted the operation at Minto Hostel, part of Patna University, on Wednesday night. The raid was led by the city superintendent of police (central), Bhanu Pratap Singh, who said the action was taken in response to complaints about possible clashes between rival student groups.
According to police, the eight students were found consuming alcohol in one of the hostel rooms and were allegedly intoxicated at the time of the raid. They were detained on charges related to public order and violations of state prohibition laws.
Those arrested have been identified as Sahil Kumar, also known as Vishnu; Lalit Siddharth; Ayush Kumar; Atul Kumar; Arun Kumar; Gunjan Kumar; Makardhwaj Upadhyay; and Rohit Kumar. Police said one of the students has a prior criminal record and that Sahil Kumar is named in a previous case linked to a bomb scare registered at Pirbahor police station. That case includes provisions under the Explosives Act, though officers said investigations are ongoing.
Singh said the search operation was carried out amid a “sensitive atmosphere” ahead of the student union polls, with recent reports of tensions and alleged attempts by student organisations to assert dominance on campus. “In view of the complaints received and the prevailing situation, a thorough search was conducted in the hostels to maintain law and order,” he said.
Police teams searched multiple rooms during the operation and said further action could follow if deemed necessary. The detained students are to be produced before a court after undergoing medical examination. University officials have not yet issued a public statement on the incident.
