Jagran Correspondent, Katihar: The student protests in Bihar’s Katihar against the alleged lathi charge on demonstrators at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar turned violent on Thursday when the protesters started a sit-in outside the main gate of the Collectorate (DM Office).
During this, the police used lathi charge and pushed back the protesters. Some miscreants among the protesters pelted stones at the police, injuring Sadar Police Station Officer Sonu Bhagat.
“A protest was being held by some people today. Initially, the protest was peaceful, and we had deployed police personnel at all locations. We had also made arrangements for crowd control and other necessary measures. However, during the peaceful protest, some anti-social elements started pelting stones. In response, they were dispersed and some people were detained,” said SP Parichay Kumar, as quoted by news agency IANS.
What Did Katihar DM Say?
Reacting to the student protests, District Magistrate Ashutosh Dwivedi clarified that if anyone was dissatisfied, they could express their views through legal means.
The DM said, “If anyone is dissatisfied, they can put forward their views through constitutional and legal means. If anyone damages government property or stages a protest in an unlawful manner without permission, legal action will certainly be taken.”
Students March From Shaheed Chowk To DM’s Office
Protesting the lathicharge on students at Jantar Mantar, students in Bihar marched on foot from Shaheed Chowk to the Collectorate. Reaching the Collectorate, the students protested the incident and demanded action against the culprits.
In view of the demonstration, the administration made strict security arrangements. Both main gates of the Collectorate were closed, while police from several police stations, including the Traffic DSP, were stationed outside the gate.
Police had made arrangements to deal with any untoward situation. Security was also increased at the railway station with monitoring of the entire event. However, during the march, the situation became tense outside the District Magistrate’s office.