Bihar: After Protest by Railway job Aspirants, Govt Imposes Sec 144 in Parts of Patna

Patna: Fearing violent protests by thousands of railway job aspirants, the new National Democratic Alliance government led by Nitish Kumar on Wednesday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in some parts of Patna. This action is seen as a measure against the likely protest by railway job aspirants.

After angry protests by railway job aspirants in various parts of Patna on Monday and Tuesday (January 29 and 30) that disrupted normal traffic for hours, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Patna Sadar division and Patna City from January 31 to February 5.

Thousands of railway job seekers, unhappy over the official notification of the Indian Railway Recruitment Board 2024, which is seeking applications for the 5,696 post of assistant loco pilots, railway job aspirants staged a protest on January 30, the second consecutive day. They protested here on Monday (January 29) as well.

The job aspirants staged protests at different places, including Kargil Chowk near Gandhi Maidan, Ashok Rajpath, Bikhna Pahari and Langar Toli in the heart of Patna. Police used lathi-charge to disperse the protesters.

The district administration has banned the staging of dharna, road blockade and “inflammatory” speeches. As per the order issued by the administration, the gathering of more than five people in the areas have also been prohibited.
According to a senior Bihar police officer, police are on alert after the protest by railway job aspirants. Additional security forces have been deployed at railway stations, railway tracks near railway stations and government buildings.

"No protest, dharna or procession by youths and students will be allowed during the period here in view of Section 144 imposed by the administration. Action will be taken against those who violate it", the police official said.

Police officials said protestors were mostly students staying in government-run colleges and private hotels and lodges, who are preparing for competitive exams.

According to police officials, more than 15,000 railway job aspirants, mostly youth preparing for loco pilot jobs, took part in the protest. They expressed unhappiness over less than 6,000 vacancies for the post of assistant loco pilot.

Protests by railway job aspirants are likely to spread across Bihar in a day or two to pressure the BJP-led Central government to increase the number of posts for recruitment.

Ironically, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata-Dal-United leaders are either busy lobbying here to ensure a berth in the cabinet, which is set to expand and to counter Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders for taking credit for providing 4.5 lakh government jobs in the past 17 months of the erstwhile Mahagathbandhan government.