Protests intensify as administration gears up to hold BPSC retest today | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: The Patna district administration has sounded an alert ahead of the BPSC 70th Preliminary Test (PT) Re-Exam, scheduled for Saturday at 10 centres across the city. This move comes amid ongoing protests by thousands, including candidates and political activists, demanding the cancellation of the Dec 13 exam, citing irregularities and paper leaks.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful exam, the administration has issued strict guidelines. Unauthorised entry, gatherings and protests within a 200-metre radius of the centres are prohibited. “No person, including parents or guardians, will be allowed to enter the exam centres without authorisation. Gatherings of five or more people and the carrying of lethal weapons, explosives or hazardous materials have also been banned,” said Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh.
The administration has deployed four static magistrates, 22 zonal magistrates and seven flying squads to maintain law and order. “The exam centres will be monitored by inspectors and inspector-rank officers from the police stations concerned,” Singh added. Candidates have been urged to cooperate and follow the guidelines to avoid inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the protests, which intensified on Friday, saw thousands take to the streets across the state. They staged a rail roko at Sachivalaya Halt, disrupting train services. Various political parties, including those from the INDIA bloc, joined the agitation to express solidarity with the candidates.
Student organisations, including NSUI, AISA, AISF and RJD attempted to gherao the CM House. Starting from Kargil Chowk, protesters broke through barricades near JP Golambar and reached Dak Bungalow intersection, where they blocked the road for nearly two hours. “We demand a direct dialogue with the govt, which has remained silent about the irregularities,” said one of the protest netas.
The administration, however, refused to facilitate such a meeting, further fuelling the movement. Protests also disrupted highways in 12 districts, including Patna, Sasaram, Supaul and Kishanganj. A state-wide protest has been announced for Jan 6 if the demands are not met.
The protests have not been without conflict. On Dec 29, a ‘Student Parliament’ held at Gandhi Maidan saw candidates heading toward the CM residence face baton charges. An FIR was lodged against 21 people, including Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and former IPS officer Anand Mishra as well as 600 unidentified persons.
Despite the administration’s preparations for the re-exam, the tension surrounding the BPSC issue remains high with both protesters and authorities gearing up for the coming days.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful exam, the administration has issued strict guidelines. Unauthorised entry, gatherings and protests within a 200-metre radius of the centres are prohibited. “No person, including parents or guardians, will be allowed to enter the exam centres without authorisation. Gatherings of five or more people and the carrying of lethal weapons, explosives or hazardous materials have also been banned,” said Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh.
The administration has deployed four static magistrates, 22 zonal magistrates and seven flying squads to maintain law and order. “The exam centres will be monitored by inspectors and inspector-rank officers from the police stations concerned,” Singh added. Candidates have been urged to cooperate and follow the guidelines to avoid inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the protests, which intensified on Friday, saw thousands take to the streets across the state. They staged a rail roko at Sachivalaya Halt, disrupting train services. Various political parties, including those from the INDIA bloc, joined the agitation to express solidarity with the candidates.
Student organisations, including NSUI, AISA, AISF and RJD attempted to gherao the CM House. Starting from Kargil Chowk, protesters broke through barricades near JP Golambar and reached Dak Bungalow intersection, where they blocked the road for nearly two hours. “We demand a direct dialogue with the govt, which has remained silent about the irregularities,” said one of the protest netas.
The administration, however, refused to facilitate such a meeting, further fuelling the movement. Protests also disrupted highways in 12 districts, including Patna, Sasaram, Supaul and Kishanganj. A state-wide protest has been announced for Jan 6 if the demands are not met.
The protests have not been without conflict. On Dec 29, a ‘Student Parliament’ held at Gandhi Maidan saw candidates heading toward the CM residence face baton charges. An FIR was lodged against 21 people, including Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and former IPS officer Anand Mishra as well as 600 unidentified persons.
Despite the administration’s preparations for the re-exam, the tension surrounding the BPSC issue remains high with both protesters and authorities gearing up for the coming days.
