Tension briefly gripped Siwan on Saturday, 25 July as demonstrators supporting the Bihar Bandh — called over the alleged NEET paper leak — clashed verbally with police after attempting to block roads and shut down markets. The situation was restored to normalcy following direct intervention by Superintendent of Police (SP) Puran Kumar Jha, who personally held talks with the protesters.

How the Confrontation Unfolded

Bandh supporters marched through major roads in Siwan, attempting to halt traffic and persuade shopkeepers to down their shutters. Police personnel intervened, advising demonstrators not to fully obstruct public roads, citing inconvenience to commuters and potential disruption to emergency services.

The advisory triggered a heated argument, with protesters alleging that the administration was trying to suppress what they termed a peaceful democratic demonstration. Police officials maintained that while lawful protests were being facilitated, obstruction of roads and public life would not be tolerated.

SP Steps In, Crowd Disperses Peacefully

As tensions escalated, additional police personnel were rushed to the site. SP Puran Kumar Jha personally supervised the standoff, held sustained discussions with protest leaders, and eventually persuaded the crowd to proceed along a designated route. The crowd dispersed without further incident, restoring normalcy across the area.

Ahead of the bandh, Siwan saw heavy police deployment at major intersections, the railway station, the bus stand, and other sensitive locations. Continuous patrolling was maintained to prevent any untoward incidents. Several private school buses stayed off the roads as a precaution, and some shopkeepers delayed opening until the situation stabilised.

Protests Spread Across Bihar Districts

The bandh's impact was felt beyond Siwan. In Gaya, demonstrators affiliated with AISA and RYA organised marches, raising slogans demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak, the state of the education system, and recent police action against students. Markets were partially affected, though essential services continued uninterrupted.

In Madhepura, police detained several students during demonstrations as a precautionary measure to maintain public order. In Jehanabad and Patna, security forces conducted flag marches through sensitive areas to reassure residents and signal preparedness. Authorities maintained close surveillance across key locations.

Symbolic Protest and Administration's Appeal

Among the demonstrations in Siwan, one student drew public attention by appearing dressed as a cockroach — a symbolic form of protest that drew widespread attention on the ground. A separate brief verbal exchange also occurred between protesters and administrative officials over the timing and manner of concluding the demonstration, before the matter was peacefully resolved.

Authorities across Bihar reiterated that peaceful protests are a democratic right but warned that violence, vandalism, or obstruction of essential services would invite strict legal action. The police administration also urged residents to disregard rumours and unverified information circulating on social media.

With student anger over the alleged NEET paper leak showing no signs of abating, further demonstrations across Bihar remain a possibility in the days ahead.