Patna, Aug 25: Student protests intensified in Patna on Tuesday as thousands of candidates gathered in Gardanibagh and later marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence, demanding changes in the BPSC TRE-4 recruitment process and greater transparency in government examinations.

The protesters were primarily demanding the removal of Preliminary-cum-Mains examination structure for TRE-4, the removal of negative marking and the implementation of a 100 per cent domicile policy.

As students moved towards the Chief Minister’s residence, the administration tightened security arrangements.

Thousands of candidates gathered near JP Golambar, where police had erected barricades to stop the march.

The protesters reportedly breached the barricades and proceeded towards Dakbungalow.

Police and CRPF personnel were deployed along the route.

As police began detaining some protesters, scuffles broke out between security personnel and candidates, creating a tense situation.

A large number of protesters subsequently gathered at Dakbungalow, where heavy iron barricades were installed to prevent them from moving further towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

Students continued attempting to advance despite the security arrangements.

The movement led by student leader Aman Kumar has received support from more than 15 student organisations.

Teachers and the Bihar Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, have also extended their support to the protesters.

The student organisations have submitted a list of 13 demands covering several recruitment examinations and appointment-related issues, including re-conduct of the BPSC 70th Combined Competitive Examination, cancel the Sub-Inspector (Daroga) recruitment examination for 1,799 posts, conduct TRE-4 as a single-stage examination, expedite pending BSSC examinations, immediately begin the BET examination process, speed up other pending government, recruitment processes, including librarian recruitment, ensure examination transparency by providing candidates with question papers, answer keys and OMR sheets after examinations, publish a fixed annual examination calendar for government recruitment examinations, take strict action against those responsible for paper leaks and examination irregularities, formulate a clear policy regarding age limits in recruitment, establish a clear and effective domicile policy for government recruitment, ensure the speedy completion of pending appointments, and provide a time-bound mechanism for resolving pending recruitment-related matters.

New Delhi, Aug 25: A late-night encounter took place between the Delhi Police Crime Branch and a criminal near the Mayur Vihar-Akshardham stretch, after which a history-sheeter from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, accused in several criminal cases, was arrested, officials said on Tuesday.

Several rounds were reportedly fired during the exchange between the police team and the accused. However, no one was injured in the incident, and the accused was taken into custody safely.

According to police, the arrested man is a history-sheeter involved in several criminal cases, including a firing incident in Delhi’s Chhawla area and cases related to murder and other serious offences.

The Crime Branch had received specific information about the accused’s movement late on Monday night. Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap near the loop connecting Mayur Vihar and Akshardham.

As the accused arrived in the area, the police team moved to intercept him. An encounter ensued, during which several rounds were fired. The police subsequently surrounded and apprehended the accused.

Officials said the accused did not sustain any bullet injuries during the operation. No police personnel or other persons were injured.

The accused is currently being interrogated, and police are attempting to gather further information about his alleged criminal activities and possible associates.

The incident comes amid continued action by the Delhi Police against organised crime and gang-related activities in the national capital.

Earlier, on August 2, a gunfight broke out between Delhi Police and two alleged members of the notorious Tillu Tajpuriya gang near Karala village in outer Delhi, leaving both suspects injured after being shot in the legs during an encounter.

The operation was carried out by a team of the Special Staff of the Rohini district. According to police, the suspects opened fire when they were intercepted, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire. A total of six rounds were fired from both sides during that encounter, police said. The two injured suspects were identified as Rahul and Vishal, who were allegedly associated with the Tillu Tajpuriya gang and believed to be involved in criminal activities linked to the outfit.

Two months earlier, the Delhi Police Special Cell arrested two alleged sharpshooters, Jatin, 24, and Vinay Maan alias Bittu, 33, allegedly linked to the Tillu Tajpuriya gang. Police had claimed that the arrests foiled two planned gangland killings targeting members of the rival Gogi gang.

New Delhi, Aug 25: Following the violence that broke out at Jantar Mantar on July 20 and the large-scale protests that followed, the Delhi Police has decided to overhaul and strengthen its intelligence-gathering mechanism to ensure better preparedness during major demonstrations and planned public gatherings.

According to sources, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has directed the Intelligence Wing and the Special Branch to gather and analyse at least 10 key pieces of information before any major or planned protest.

On July 20, a large number of protesters gathered in and around Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Around 30,000 people took to the streets and attempted to march toward Parliament demanding action against the paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities. As the situation deteriorated, clashes broke out between the police and the protesters. The police used force, leading to widespread criticism.

Following this incident, the police’s intelligence system was reviewed. Officials felt that they lacked adequate and accurate prior input regarding the number of protesters, their mobilisation, and the role of various organisations.

Therefore, according to sources, the Delhi Police Special Branch has been instructed to develop more detailed and usable intelligence inputs, rather than simply gathering information about the location of the protest and estimated crowd.

The police will now also profile the people participating in the protest. They will also identify how many people are coming from which state, how they are being mobilised, and the role of key leaders and organisers. Efforts will also be made to understand the protest agenda and their main demands in advance.

The police will also gather information about where the protesters are staying, their local contacts, and their local connections in Delhi.

Sources said that information will also be gathered about their connections with various organisations, potential sources of funding for the protest, and the logistical arrangements made for the crowd.

This means that the police will no longer focus solely on where and when the protest is taking place, but also on identifying who is organising the protest, who is mobilising the demonstrators, where they are coming from, their local contacts, and how the entire protest has been prepared.

The Police Commissioner has also issued strict instructions regarding the wireless communication system. To ensure rapid exchange of information between police personnel on the ground and senior officers during protests, the wireless network has been thoroughly inspected, and any deficiencies identified have been immediately addressed.

According to sources, the purpose of this entire exercise is not to prevent any protests, but to better assess the law and order situation during large public events.

Particular attention will be paid to protests that attract large numbers of people from outside Delhi or involve multiple organisations.