Police Crack Down on AISA Student Protest in Patna Over NEET Paper Leak; Opposition Stages Walkout

Bihar Police used water cannons and tear gas to stop an AISA student march in Patna demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over NEET leaks. The crackdown sparked heated exchanges in the Legislative Council, leading to an opposition walkout

Patna: The Bihar Police on Wednesday fired tear gas shells, used water cannon and baton-charged to thwart a ‘Lok Bhavan march’ of student leaders here, who were demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak.

The protesters had gathered under the banner of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), an affiliate of the CPI(ML) Liberation, and they faced the police action near Gandhi Maidan, about three km away from the Governor’s residence.

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CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Sourav, who is a former AISA national general secretary, was leading the procession.

“We are on the streets to bring the Modi government back to its senses. Our demand is that in the wake of the brutal suppression of the Jantar Mantar protests, not only Pradhan, but also Union Home Minister Amit Shah tender his resignation as the Delhi Police had acted upon his instructions,” he told PTI Videos.

Police could not immediately confirm the number of people detained in connection with the protests here.

The issue also rocked the state legislative council when the House assembled for the post-lunch session.

RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh rose in his seat to voice anguish over the “brutal police action”. Soon, other opposition members were also on their feet, prompting angry retorts from the ruling side.

After a heated exchange that lasted for a few minutes, the House witnessed a walkout by the entire opposition.

Meanwhile, protesters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday, as the agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations entered its second month.