Nalanda college protest turns violent: 3 cops hurt, 10 arrested in Bihar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A demonstration demanding the establishment of a degree college in Nagarnausa, Nalanda district, turned violent on Thursday, 18 June, after clashes erupted between protesters and police during a road blockade. Three police personnel were injured, several government vehicles were damaged, and ten people were arrested in the unrest.
How the Violence Unfolded
A large gathering of students, parents, and local residents assembled at Nagarnausa to press a long-pending demand for a degree college in the area. Protesters blocked a major road and raised slogans against the government and district administration. The demonstration was initially peaceful before deteriorating into open confrontation with security forces.
Eyewitnesses reported that a section of the crowd began pelting stones and bricks at police personnel, triggering chaos at the protest site. Several government vehicles sustained damage, with windows shattered during the stone-pelting.
Police Response and Crowd Control
Anticipating a large turnout, the district administration had pre-emptively deployed a substantial police contingent and arranged drone surveillance to monitor the situation. Despite these precautions, the protest spiralled out of control.
Senior officials — including Hilsa ASP Kumari Shailaja and SDM Amit Kumar Patel — rushed to the site after reports of unrest came in. Following repeated appeals for calm that went unheeded, police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Protesters gradually withdrew, enabling authorities to restore order.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
ASP Kumari Shailaja confirmed that three police personnel sustained injuries during the clashes. She stated that ten individuals have been arrested on charges of obstructing government work and engaging in violence.
According to police officials, drone footage and video recordings from the protest site are being reviewed to identify additional suspects. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will follow against anyone found to have participated in the violence.
Situation After the Clashes
Following the incident, police conducted a flag march through Nagarnausa market, major intersections, and other sensitive locations to deter further disturbances. Traffic, which had been disrupted by the road blockade, has since been restored. The core demand — a degree college in Nagarnausa — remains unaddressed by authorities, raising the likelihood of renewed agitation if no official response is forthcoming.