PATNA: A heavy police force was deployed at Patliputra Railway Station in Bihar after a stone-pelting and vandalism incident erupted on the station premises, officials said on Sunday.Visuals from the railway station showed a tense situation following the unrest, with security personnel stationed across the premises to maintain law and order.According to Patna district magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh Thiyagarajan, authorities received information around midnight that a group of people was creating a disturbance at the station.“Around midnight, we received information that some people were creating a disturbance. We repeatedly requested them not to cause a ruckus and to cooperate with the examinees who wished to take the exam,” the district magistrate said.He alleged that certain anti-social elements repeatedly pulled the emergency chain of trains and raised several demands, including the operation of special trains, despite the availability of two special trains for passengers.“However, certain anti-social elements repeatedly pulled the emergency chain and raised various demands, such as a request for special trains, even though two special trains were already available ,” he said.Officials said the disruption affected passengers, including students travelling to appear for examinations. As the situation escalated, authorities resorted to mild force to disperse the crowd and ensure the movement of trains and passengers.“They also obstructed students who wanted to go. Due to these issues, we had to use mild force. The situation is completely normal now, and the trains have departed; the trains meant for those taking the exam have already left. Train operations are proceeding normally as well,” he added.Eye-witness Sanjay Kumar Sharma says, “Initially, people had blocked the trains and were not letting them move. The administration arrived to clear the blockade, but the crowd wouldn’t budge. Amidst this, there was a massive uproar and a violent outburst. you can see the aftermath right here in front of my shop. The entire shop has been smashed. Large stones have been hurled inside. I barely managed to escape alive. Otherise, no one knows what might have happened to me. The students were extremely agitated. They were in the thousands. They had actually come to take an exam… But they couldn’t get train because there were too few train and too many students.”
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(With agency inputs)
