Patna unrest over alleged inadequate arrangements led to stone-pelting and police firing in air; exam proceeds at 500 centres

A recruitment examination for Bihar police constables was marred by violent scenes at Patliputra Junction late Saturday night after hundreds of candidates staged a protest alleging inadequate transport arrangements, officials said. At least six people have been arrested and railway and police personnel suffered injuries as trains were briefly blocked and an exam-special rake was damaged.

Protest erupts at night

According to railway and district officials, the disturbance began around midnight when a group of aspirants — estimates range from 200 to 300 — moved onto the tracks and prevented Madhubani and Seemanchal Express services from departing. Initial reports indicate the demonstrators repeatedly pulled emergency chains and demanded additional special trains despite authorities saying two special services had been arranged earlier.

“Repeated appeals were made to the crowd to vacate tracks and allow trains to run,” Patna District Magistrate Dr. Tyagrajan said. After the protesters refused to disperse, local police used mild force; officials said tear gas shells were fired and police discharged rounds in the air to control the situation.

Damage and injuries

Railway Inspector General Amresh Kumar said stones were hurled at police and trains, and glass panes of the exam-special train were smashed. Railway IG Jitendra Rana sustained a neck injury during stone pelting, officials confirmed. Five other police personnel were treated for injuries, the IG added.

Eyewitness Sanjay Kumar Sharma, who owns a shop opposite the platform, told reporters early Sunday morning that his premises were vandalised during the unrest. “Large stones were thrown inside the shop. I narrowly escaped,” he said. Photographs from the scene showed shattered glass and stones scattered across the platform.

Arrests and FIRs

Police have arrested six candidates in connection with the violence, Railway IG Amresh Kumar said. An FIR has been filed naming around 500 unidentified persons allegedly involved in stone pelting and obstruction of railway operations. Sources familiar with the matter said officers are reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements to identify more suspects.

“Those found responsible will be prosecuted. We have to ensure safety of commuters and examinees,” a senior railway official said on condition of anonymity.

Exam continues at scale

Despite the disruption at Patliputra, authorities said the recruitment test is underway across Bihar. The written examination is being conducted at roughly 500 centres with more than 16 lakh candidates vying for 4,128 vacancies — including 2,417 constable, 1,603 excise constable and 108 mobile squad constable posts. The test runs through 17 June in two shifts daily.

Entry at Patna centres began at 8 am Sunday, with strict security checks reported at several venues. At some centres candidates were required to remove shoes and were not allowed to carry mobile phones or pens; invigilators are providing writing instruments and separate question papers and OMR sheets for each shift, officials said.

Ground-level grievances

Several examinees and local residents described logistical problems and long travel distances to allotted centres. Manish Kumar, who travelled from Sultanpurganj in Bhagalpur, described the exam venue in Chitkohra as poorly managed and said there was no secure place to leave belongings; informal carriers were reportedly charging up to ₹300 for safekeeping.

Railway IG Amresh Kumar said a special train reached the station at about 2:10 am after talks with senior officials, but by then tensions had escalated. Officials also said the state DGP advised counselling and assurances that candidates who missed the test could be accommodated later; protesters did not accept the proposal, the IG said.

Public impact and next steps

Train services at Patliputra were restored by early Sunday morning and officials said the situation is under control. Authorities have appealed for calm and urged candidates to cooperate with invigilation teams. Investigations into the violence are ongoing, and more arrests are likely as footage is analysed.

Rail and district administrations said they will review arrangements for candidate transport and on-site logistics ahead of remaining exam days to prevent repeat disruptions. Local residents and shopkeepers affected by the violence have demanded prompt action and compensation for damages.

Road dispute turned violent on June 7, Bolero driver ran over 24-year-old Chandramani Ratre; two arrested, one a minor

A 24-year-old man was run over by occupants of a Bolero during a road dispute in Korba on the night of June 7 and died in a Raipur private hospital six days later, police and family sources said on Sunday.

According to officials, the victim was identified as Chandramani Ratre, a resident of Pantora village in Janjgir-Champa district and the son of ASI Ramnarayan Ratre of the traffic police. Initial reports indicate the incident began on the Budhwari bypass road in Korba late on June 7 when occupants of a Bolero allegedly created a disturbance on the road.

What happened
Sources familiar with the case said Chandramani was travelling in a car with friends when the Bolero party demanded right of way. A heated argument reportedly followed. As Chandramani stepped out of the car, the Bolero accelerated and struck him, leaving him critically injured.

“After being hit, Chandramani was taken to a private hospital in Korba,” a local police officer said. “His condition remained critical and he was later shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to injuries on June 13.”

Companion attacked, robbed
Two of Chandramani’s companions, identified as Arvind Rathore and Sahil Nirmalkar, chased the Bolero on a scooter, police said. They were allegedly intercepted by the attackers. Arvind suffered multiple injuries to his hands, face and body after being beaten, according to those close to the family. He was reportedly dumped by the attackers on the roadside, who later fled the scene.

Family members told reporters the assailants looted Arvind during the attack, taking around Rs 1 lakh in cash, an iPhone and gold jewellery including a ring and a chain. Police recovered the victim’s abandoned car three days after the incident.

CCTV footage emerges
Local sources said a CCTV clip of the incident has surfaced and is with investigators. “The footage is being examined for identification of other suspects and to corroborate witness statements,” a senior officer in Korba’s police administration said, requesting anonymity.

Arrests and probe
Korba police have arrested two suspects, one of whom is a juvenile. The arrested adult has been named as Kapil Kumar Sarathi of Katghora, officials said. Both are being questioned; probes are continuing into charges that include murder, kidnapping and robbery.

“Investigation is on multiple angles,” the Korba police official said. “We are tracking down other accused seen in the CCTV and those who fled after the incident.”

Local reaction
News of Chandramani’s death triggered anger in parts of the city and in his native village. His last rites were held in Pantora village. Social groups and friends staged demonstrations and demanded swift arrests and stringent punishment for the culprits.

“People are shocked and upset. This was a brutal act over a trivial road dispute,” a relative said. Community leaders called for heightened patrolling and immediate action by authorities to restore a sense of safety.

Background and context
Road rage incidents involving SUVs and light commercial vehicles have drawn attention across several central Indian towns in recent years, raising concerns about reckless driving and mob violence. Police sources said investigators are examining whether alcohol, prior altercations, or communal links played any part in the Korba episode.

What’s next
Police said medical reports and the CCTV are being used to strengthen the charges. Further arrests are expected as more witnesses come forward, the official added. The juvenile suspect will be dealt with under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, while the adult suspect faces prosecution under Indian Penal Code sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, robbery and kidnapping, pending legal advice.

For now, the case has stirred local outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against road-side vigilantism and violent reprisals.