Patna: Demonstrations erupted in Patna as aspiring assistant locomotive pilots protested regarding recruitment, but the situation was resolved peacefully with authorities addressing their concerns on Tuesday, January 30. The protests occurred in the restricted area near Kargil Chowk, prompting police intervention and mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd, leading to some minor injuries.
Aspiring candidates preparing for railway jobs have been demanding the release of vacancies for assistant locomotive pilots. On Tuesday, they took to the streets of Patna, causing traffic disruptions. Despite police attempts to persuade them, the protestors entered the restricted area, leading to a brief confrontation and subsequent lathi charge. Several individuals sustained minor injuries during the scuffle, but the police managed to disperse the crowd, restoring order.
The demonstrators have been advocating for an increase in job vacancies, requesting the Railway Recruitment Board to extend the recruitment beyond the current 5,659 positions to accommodate at least 70,000 candidates. Another demand is the release of an exam calendar to provide clarity and transparency in the recruitment process.
This protest comes after the announcement of 64,371 vacancies by the Railway Recruitment Board in 2018. However, the recent announcement of only 5,696 positions in January 2024 has sparked discontent among students.
Earlier on Saturday, aspirants had also staged protests, causing disruptions near the Rajendra Nagar railway station, resulting in stone-pelting on police personnel and a four-hour disruption of train services. Several protestors were detained by the police during the altercation.
