PATNA: Country-made bombs were hurled in the hostels of Patna College at around 11 am on Monday, causing panic and injuries. The incident took place at Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi Minority Hostel and Iqbal Hostel, resulting in serious injuries to a student named Mayank from Jehanabad district.
The injured student was immediately rushed to the PMCH, and later, his family members admitted him to Railway Hospital.
The police, upon receiving information, promptly arrived at the spot and arrested four accused students. The bombing incident also involved the discovery of a live country-made bomb at the location, accompanied by dozens of rounds of firing within the hostel premises.
Mintu and Jackson Hostel boys are reportedly being held responsible for the bombing, and police from Gandhi Maidan, Pirbahore, and Kadamkuan police stations are conducting raids. The search uncovered iron rods and sticks during the police raid.
The motive behind the bombing appears to be an old dispute between students of Mintu and Jackson Hostels and those residing in Nadvi and Iqbal hostels. A recent altercation between Mintu Hostel and Iqbal Hostel students two days prior to the incident may have escalated tensions, leading to the violent attack, officials said.
In addition to the bombing, the arrested students are also accused of snatching a parcel valued at Rs 11,999 from a delivery boy. The police are investigating this aspect of the case.
Delivery boy Akash Deep, the victim of the alleged snatching, shared his account, stating that he was en route to Science College to deliver a parcel when he encountered a group of boys near the hostel. Despite suspicions arising from a one-sided call, the boys claimed ownership of the parcel, and before Akash Deep could comprehend the situation, they fled with the package.
District Minority Welfare Officer Niranjan Kumar visited the hostel after the incident, inspecting the site and acknowledging the severity of the attack. The hostel was targeted by criminal elements, with multiple rounds of bullets fired during the incident.
DSP Ashok Singh, who led the police response, stated that this was not the first such incident on the Patna College campus and urged the college administration to identify and cancel the enrollment of mischievous students. He emphasized that disciplinary action or enrollment cancellation is crucial to curbing such incidents.
Investigations are ongoing, and DSP Ashok Singh is looking into the apparent inaction of the policemen present at the time of the incident, pledging that action will be taken against any culpable officers.
The college campus, despite having security personnel, continues to witness such incidents, prompting calls for more stringent measures.
