INTENTIONS OF CANDIDATES CAUSING A RUCKUS AT THE RAIALWAY STATION REVEALED

INTENTIONS OF CANDIDATES CAUSING A RUCKUS AT THE RAIALWAY STATION REVEALED

15-JUNE-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Candidates heading for the Prohibition Constable recruitment exam created a massive ruckus at Pataliputra Railway Station. During the disturbance, they engaged in stone-pelting, damaging the glass panes of shops and offices located on the platform. Police have arrested six individuals involved in the stone-pelting and the disturbance; an FIR has also been registered.

Regarding the incident, police officials stated that around midnight, a large crowd of candidates traveling for the Prohibition Constable recruitment exam had gathered at Pataliputra Railway Station. The Seemanchal Express and the Madhubani Summer Special trains were stationed there at the time. The candidates were demanding that two additional special trains be arranged so they would not miss the exam and could appear for it on time. The commotion gradually escalated. Although the requested additional trains arrived at the station around 2:00 AM, the candidates continued to create a disturbance.

By around 2:00 AM, the trains were ready to depart; however, the massive crowd blocked the tracks and forcibly halted the Seemanchal Express, the Madhubani Summer Special, the special exam train, and a goods train. The candidates had moved off the trains and onto the railway tracks. While on the tracks, the protesting candidates demanded that exam centers be allocated locally and that the exam be postponed or cancelled. By then, Railway Police and personnel from nearby police stations had been summoned. Senior officials from the GRP, RPF, district administration, and police force arrived at the scene; even the District Magistrate (DM) of Patna had reached the location. Officials made prolonged, concerted efforts to reason with the protesters, but the agitators refused to calm down. Their sole intention was to create a disturbance and force the cancellation of the examination. This commotion also disrupted the operations of other trains.

Amidst this, certain anti-social elements and agitators within the crowd suddenly began pelting stones at the police force and administrative officials. Several police officers and personnel sustained injuries during this violent stone-pelting. Windowpanes of offices and shops on the platform were shattered, and significant damage was caused to government property. To ensure the safety of ordinary passengers present on the platform and to restore law and order, the police took swift action and fired eight tear gas shells. The situation escalated to such a critical point that the police were compelled to fire shots into the air. After considerable effort, the crowd was dispersed, and the situation was brought fully under control.

A police official stated that attempts to reason with the candidates began around 10:00 AM and continued until approximately 4:00 PM, yet the candidates remained adamant. The core issue raised by many in the crowd was that if the first-shift examination concluded late, candidates for the second shift would miss their exam; therefore, they demanded the cancellation of the entire examination. Although senior officials arrived upon receiving news of the disturbance and repeatedly assured everyone that no one would miss their exam and urged them to board the trains, there were individuals within the crowd deliberately inciting chaos to ensure the exam's cancellation. The police chased down and arrested six individuals involved in the stone-pelting and rioting. Other agitators are being identified through video footage, and raids are being conducted to apprehend them. By approximately 6:20 AM, all trains had departed for their respective destinations.