Bihar TRE-4 row: Students on Patna streets; unrest spreads as protesters clash with police (Lead)

Patna, Aug 25 (IANS) The students’ demand for cancellation of the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Examinations intensified on Tuesday, as many student organisations took to the streets in the state capital and marched towards the Lok Bhawan, demanding that the state administration address their grievances and make the necessary amends. 

The protesting students marched from Gandhi Maidan towards Lok Bhawan; they broke barricades and engaged in a scuffle with policemen.

The protest march was planned, with student organisations calling for laying siege to the Chief Minister’s residence. Extensive security arrangements were put in place across the capital, in anticipation of the proposed march. Additional police personnel as well as officers were also deployed at key locations leading to Lok Bhawan, including Dakbungalow Crossing and Income Tax Golambar. Water cannons and ‘Vajra’ (riot control) vehicles were also kept on standby to handle any untoward incidents.

The agitating students tried to break through the barricades, erected by the police at multiple checkpoints, ignoring repeated warnings by the Patna Police.

The students gathered in large numbers near the barricades and attempted to advance towards Lok Bhawan, while the police tried to contain them.

The agitation erupted over students’ demands pertaining to BPSC exams, as they alleged widespread irregularities and paper leaks. They are also seeking changes to the proposed Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE) 4.0, including a single-stage exam and the removal of negative marking.

The primary demands of students are the abolition of negative marking in the Bihar Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) teacher recruitment exam (TRE-4) and the conduct of the exam in a single phase. Their other demands included announcing the date for the BSSC Inter-level exams, cancelling the 70th BPSC exam paper, and ordering an inquiry into the Sub-Inspector (Daroga) recruitment process.

On Monday, senior government officials, including the Education Secretary and Patna DM, engaged in dialogue with the students hoping to hammer out a solution. While agreement was reached on several issues, no consensus could be achieved on key demands such as removing negative marking for TRE-4 and holding a single-stage exam.

–IANS

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