Patna: The Police Headquarters on Thursday placed all districts on alert and directed district police chiefs to maintain strict vigil to prevent any further disturbance following Wednesday’s clashes, vandalism and traffic disruption in the state capital.Late on Wednesday night, senior officials at the Police Headquarters reviewed the law and order situation with SPs across Bihar and asked them to ensure adequate preventive measures. District police chiefs were directed to remain alert and respond swiftly to any attempt to disturb public order.In Patna, security was tightened at key locations, including JP Golambar, Kargil Chowk, Dak Bungalow, Exhibition Road, Ashok Rajpath and Gandhi Maidan. Additional forces were deployed in sensitive areas, while police intensified patrolling across the city.Students again hit the streets in Patna on Thursday, blocking Ashok Rajpath near Patna College and demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police detained the protesters and cleared the road, but the students said their agitation would continue until the minister stepped down.Students continued protests against alleged corruption in the education system, examination irregularities and paper leaks under the banner of the All India Students’ Association (AISA). Escalating the agitation, AISA and the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) announced a Bihar bandh on July 25.The student organisation observed July 22 as a “Black Day” and called for district-level demonstrations across Bihar on July 24 as “Resistance Day”. It also urged students and citizens to support the July 25 bandh.AISA state president Dhananjay alleged that hundreds of students were injured when police resorted to a lathi-charge on demonstrators marching towards Raj Bhavan during Wednesday’s protest. He also claimed that several students were detained and criminal cases registered against them during the police action. Police have not commented on the allegations.
