Patna: Opposition legislators have staged a protest in the Bihar assembly complex, accusing the state government of failing to curb rising crime and claiming that law and order has deteriorated.
Members of the main opposition party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), gathered in the portico of the assembly in Patna on Friday, holding posters and placards and raising slogans against the government. The demonstration briefly heightened tensions within the premises as MLAs demanded accountability over what they described as a surge in criminal incidents.
RJD leaders alleged that cases of murder, robbery and rape had left residents fearful, and claimed that organised crime was on the rise. They argued that the situation had created a sense of insecurity among the public and damaged the state’s reputation.
“The government has completely failed to control crime,” one opposition leader said, adding that the administration’s claims of good governance were at odds with conditions on the ground.
The protest also targeted the government’s development record, with opposition members questioning official assertions of progress. They said Bihar risked becoming “number one in crime” and raised concerns about declining per capita income, arguing that economic and security challenges were being glossed over.
Opposition leaders vowed to press the issue inside the assembly chamber and warned that demonstrations could intensify if the situation did not improve. They said their campaign would continue “from the House to the streets” until stricter action was taken against offenders.
Leaders from the ruling party rejected the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that law and order in the state was under control. They said action against criminal elements was ongoing and accused the opposition of exaggerating isolated incidents for political gain.
The exchange signals that crime and public safety are likely to remain flashpoints in the state’s political debate in the days ahead.
