Thousands of protesters have blocked railway tracks, disrupted train services and vandalised public property. In Bihar’s Gaya, a train was set ablaze, though no injuries have been reported
A train was set on fire in Bihar’s Gaya during unrest over the Indian Railways exam on 26 January, 2022. ANI
The Indian Railways has suspended its Non Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) and Level 1 tests after protests over its recruitment exam turned violent.
Thousands of candidates alleging discrepancies in the process have been protesting in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Why are candidates protesting?
Protests erupted over the Indian Railways’ decision to hold the exam in two stages. Candidates claimed that the second stage is unfair to those who have cleared the first one. The results for the first stage were declared on 15 January. The Indian Railways said that another layer of exams was added to accommodate a large number of applicants.
Earlier, railways said it would hold the second stage of the exam from 15 to 19 February, 2022. Around 1.25 candidates had applied for the exams and nearly 60 lakh people sat for the test.
What happened?
A crowd stormed the Gaya Junction, raising slogans, and set fire to the Bhabhua-Patna Inter City Express. No injuries have been reported so far.
East Central Railway CPRO Rajesh Kumar told PTI-Bhasha, “The rakes were empty and parked inside the yard when miscreants set a coach on fire. It has not resulted in disruption of rail traffic.” Gaya SSP Aditya Kumar said some of the agitators were taken into custody. Clashes have also been reported between the police and the protesters.
On Tuesday, train services were disrupted in Bihar as protesters blocked railway tracks for five hours at the Rajendra Nagar Terminal in Patna.
UP Police accused of manhandling protesters, govt promises action
The police have been accused of barging into a lodge and manhandling students who took part in the protests in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Among those who shared the alleged assault’s video was Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The state’s deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has promised action as the video went viral on social media. He said that action will be taken against the police personnel if they are found guilty.
Railways minister urges calm
Meanwhile, railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday urged job aspirants not to destroy public property and assured them that their grievances would be resolved.
The railways also formed a high-level committee to examine the grievances of those who have passed the exams under different railway recruitment boards (RRBs) and those who have failed the same, a spokesperson for the national transporter said on Wednesday.
After listening to both the parties, the committee will submit a report to the railways ministry, he added.
The Indian Railways had earlier warned that candidates who are indulging in vandalism and unlawful activities and disruption of train operations, will be barred from recruitment tests for life.
With inputs from agencies
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.