Police detain 34 in Patna for instigating BPSC aspirants, book 350 protestors

Police have detained 34 persons in Patna on charges of instigating candidates who recently appeared in the Bihar Public Service Commission Preliminary examination.

Protesting BPSC candidates on Jan 30 tried to stage a demonstration in front of the commission’s office here, and created a ruckus in the restricted area, only to be dispersed by police who told them that “no gathering was allowed in the restricted area.”

The aspiring candidates have been demanding cancellation of the 70th Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination, held across the state on December 13.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said, “There was no lathi-charge on the protesters, but they have been booked for disrupting road traffic in the area, which is close to the police headquarters, Raj Bhawan, and the Chief Minister’s residence.”

“We have identified those who were behind the protest and instigated BPSC aspirants to gather near the commission’s office and disrupt the movement of traffic on Bailey Road. All protesters were removed by security personnel,” he added.

Police have arrested four persons on charges of instigating protesters and detained 30 others who were involved in creating a ruckus in the restricted area.

“More people will be arrested based on CCTV footage, which are being analyzed,” Singh told news agency PTI.

A Patna-based tutor Ramanshu Mishra is among those arrested. Police have filed two separate FIRs against 350 protesters at the Sachiwalaya and Kotwali police stations.

“Majority of the protesters were brought from outside the state capital, and some came from other states as well,” he claimed. He said at least 26 people detained are not residents of Patna.

“They wanted to proceed towards the BPSC office, which police and administration officials did not allow. Despite repeated requests by security personnel, they refused to vacate the road. It is a restricted area and not a place where protests are allowed,” Singh added.