Patna/Gaya: A train was set on fire and demonstrations were staged at a couple of stations on Wednesday, marking the third day of unrest in Bihar against alleged anomalies in the tests conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board for the NTPC category.
A crowd stormed the Gaya Junction, raising slogans, and set fire to the Bhabhua-Patna Intercity Express, though nobody was injured.
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.
“We have brought the situation at Gaya Junction under control. Some protesters have been taken into custody. Action will be taken after the arsonists are identified,” Kumar said.
The ECR CPRO said demonstrations were also witnessed at Taregana, on the outskirts of Patna, and at Jehanabad though agitators there were pacified without much trouble.
“The Railways is requesting people to stay calm and place their grievances before the high-powered committee that has been set up to look into their concerns,” he added.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday urged job aspirants not to destroy public property and promised a resolution to their grievances.
Earlier in the day, the ministry suspended the Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC) and the Level 2 exams after reports of vandalism by job aspirants from different parts of the country came to light.
“I am telling the aspirants that this is their own property. Why are they destroying something that is their own? However, authorities will follow due process if public property is damaged,” the minister said at a press conference.
His comments came after violent protests by job aspirants erupted in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Vaishnaw said the Railways is in touch with chief ministers and the issue is being handled “sensitively”.
“I urge the candidates to put forth their grievances formally. Our intention is to resolve this issue quickly. A committee has been formed and it will examine representations by the candidates,” he said.