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Students caned in Patna

Photo: PTI

Students in action at the residence of Bihar Education Minister Hari Narayan Singh in Patna on Tuesday.

PATNA: Students’ unrest took a violent turn on Tuesday with the police lathicharging those gheraoing the residence of Education Minister Hari Narain Singh accusing the government of failure to end the indefinite strike by the non-teaching university staff.

Over a dozen students were injured in the police action which included the arrest of about two dozen others. Two of the arrested have been admitted to Patna Medical College Hospital with serious injuries.

Belonging to various student wings, the students had surrounded the residence of Education Minister demanding his resignation and shouting slogans against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. They held the government responsible for the chaos prevailing on the university campus across the State.

The police were immediately summoned and they beat up the students who pelted stones in retaliation.

The indefinite strike has brought to a halt the issuance of mark sheets and certificates. This has created major problems for students who want to seek admission in institutions outside the State. It has also stalled the admission process in the colleges here besides hampering the teaching process for over six weeks.

The non-teaching staff have accused the Chief Minister of going back on his promise of meeting their demand.

Meanwhile, the BJP’s national executive member Harendra Pratap Singh has warned of an agitation if the State Government failed to take action against the civilians who attacked the students and injured them. He accused the Chief Minister of bypassing the coalition dharma.

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Students caned in Patna
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