State on edge as 70,000 police personnel take charge of streets, with schools closed and airport security tightened

Bihar Bandh called in protest against NEET paper leak, demand for Union Education Minister's resignation, and lathi-charge. A Bihar Bandh has been called today in protest against the NEET paper leak, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, and condemning the lathi-charge (police baton charge). The student organisations AISA and Rashtriya Yuva Andolan (RYA) have given the call for the bandh. The impact of the bandh is already visible. In Samastipur, students blocked roads and set fires. Slogans were raised against the government. The administration cleared the blockade within two hours. Police patrolling was also seen in Jehanabad.

In view of the Bihar Bandh, police and administration in Patna have been put on high alert. 70,000 personnel have been deployed across Bihar. Police leaves have been cancelled. Schools have been shut in several districts, including Patna and Aurangabad, in view of the protests.

Tight security arrangements have been made in the capital by identifying key and sensitive locations. Security forces have been deployed around Dak Bungalow Square, JP Golambar, Kargil Chowk, Kotwali T-Point, Income Tax Square, Veerchand Patel Path, the High Court, Ashok Rajpath, Rajvanshi Nagar Crossing, Ashiana, and the Chief Minister's residence.

Along with local police, personnel from CISF, BSF, SSB, and CRPF have been deployed. At JP Golambar, 200 personnel have been deployed along with water cannons. Security has also been tightened at the Assembly and Patna Junction complexes. Security has been stepped up at other important public places as well, including the airport, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, and the museum. The strike has received support from RJD, Congress, VIP, and Left parties.