Patna: Student protests, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and fixing accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including NEET, intensified across Bihar on Friday, with demonstrations organized in Buxar, Siwan, Madhubani and several other districts. The state govt, meanwhile, suspended internet services in parts of Muzaffarpur as a precautionary measure to maintain public order.The protests were part of a nationwide agitation led by student organisations seeking action over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations. Protesters also demanded compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversies and paper leak incidents.In Buxar, around 1,000 people participated in marches held in Buxar town, Dumraon and Nawanagar. Students gathered at Ambedkar Chowk carrying placards reading “Dharmendra Pradhan Resign” and “Thank You Buxar Police”. Protest leaders said the latter slogan was meant to appreciate the police for allowing peaceful demonstrations. Security personnel and magistrates were deployed at key locations to maintain law and order.In Siwan, student groups observed a “Black Day” protest against the examination system and alleged police excesses on students during recent demonstrations. Nearly 100 protesters marched from Chandrashekhar Chowk to JP Chowk, raising slogans against the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanding accountability from the govt.Hundreds of students also took to the streets in Madhubani under the banner of the Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti. Demonstrators assembled outside RK College and raised slogans against the Centre and the Union education minister over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.Student leaders claimed that similar protests were organised in several districts of the state and warned that the agitation would continue until their demands were met. AISA state president Dhananjay said the demonstrations remained peaceful and witnessed wide participation from students and youth.Amid the statewide protests, the state home department suspended internet and social media services in the Town-1 and Town-2 police subdivisions of Muzaffarpur from Friday afternoon until July 26. The order restricted access to several internet-based platforms, besides broadband services in the affected areas.Muzaffarpur DM Kumar Gaurav said the temporary suspension was aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation and maintaining public order.With security arrangements tightened across districts and restrictions imposed in parts of Muzaffarpur, authorities remained on alert while student organisations signalled plans to intensify their agitation in the coming days.Gaya district and police administration have stepped up security across the city following protests over the alleged NEET paper leak issue, amid fears of similar demonstrations in Gaya.DM Shashank Shubhankar said the administration was maintaining constant contact with representatives of student organisations and the coaching institutes.City SP Abhinav said, “Additional police personnel have been deployed at government offices, major intersections and other sensitive locations as a precautionary measure.”According to sources, student demonstrations were also held in Bettiah, Jamui, Supaul, Darbhanga and Khagaria districts.(With inputs from K Kamlesh in Buxar, CS Jha Azad in Madhubani and Alok Kumar in Gaya)
