Security Intensified Across Bihar Ahead of Bandh Over NEET Paper Leak Row

Security arrangements have been strengthened across Bihar ahead of the statewide bandh called over the alleged NEET paper leak, with a large number of police personnel deployed at sensitive locations, including Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Authorities have stepped up surveillance across the state to ensure law and order during the protest. Visuals from Gandhi Maidan showed a heavy police presence as officials remained on alert in anticipation of the bandh.

As part of the shutdown, activists of the All India Students Association (AISA) blocked the Samastipur–Patna main road, demanding action over the NEET paper leak controversy. The protesters also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Friday, after being arrested in connection with the violence that erupted during the NEET protests in Patna, CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurav said the agitation would continue until the Union Education Minister stepped down.

He stated that the movement would not end until Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, adding that students and young people across the country would continue their protest. Saurav also said justice must be delivered to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy. AISA Bihar State President Dhananjay also condemned the governments handling of the protests, accusing the authorities of targeting students for demanding the ministers resignation. He alleged that the administration was attempting to silence the movement through arrests and criticised what he described as harsh treatment of student protesters in Bihar.

The bandh comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination controversy. Patna witnessed violent clashes and incidents of stone-pelting outside the Bihar Congress headquarters after BJP workers staged demonstrations in several states against the Congress partys march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modis Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. The protests spread across Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, reflecting the growing political confrontation over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and claims of police action against protesting students.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.