Bihar Veterinary College students launch indefinite strike after on-campus firing

Tensions escalated at Bihar Veterinary College in Patna after a violent altercation between students and local residents led to gunfire on campus on July 7, injuring a first-year student.

In response, students have launched an indefinite strike, demanding enhanced security and restricted access to outsiders.

“Our college students come and play here; they had a brawl with the locals on the campus at around 6:00 pm yesterday. This keeps happening here every other day. Firing also took place yesterday. A first-year student sustained bullet injuries on his hand. He is admitted to a hospital. So, we are observing an indefinite strike,” said one of the protesting students.

The injured student was reportedly taken to a hospital and is undergoing treatment. Students allege that this is not an isolated incident and that threats from outsiders have been a recurring issue.

“Our demands are simple, that our safety should be ensured. Our seniors work here in the OPD, and there are no security arrangements for them. Female students use these roads on a regular basis, and there are no safety measures for them. Keeping all these issues in mind, we are on an indefinite strike,” the same student added.

Rishita Ranjan, a second-year student, expressed concern for both the injured student and the safety of female students on campus.

“We are on strike for the students who got shot, and the second reason is our safety. There is no safety for us girls while we are on our way to the hostel from college. The locals are always there, and they click pictures, pass comments, and even follow us. We want a ban on outsiders entering our college,” said Ranjan.

Another student pointed out that the issue had been raised earlier but was ignored. “We submitted an application regarding this a year ago, but no action was taken. We have OPD, and we often have to travel late at night. If something happens to us, who will take responsibility?”

The students are now urging college authorities and local administration to take immediate steps to ensure campus security, restrict unauthorized access, and address the repeated incidents of harassment and violence.