If you retreat, won't leave you fit for job: Patna cop to subordinates during CJP stir
A viral video capturing Patna West SP Sanket Kumar exhorting his subordinates to hold their ground before advancing against student protesters has emerged as one of the defining images of Wednesday's violent clashes.
As hundreds of students marched through Patna demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the protest soon spiralled into a violent face-off with the police. While the clashes left several personnel injured and parts of the city under heavy security, one moment from Wednesday's unrest has come to symbolise the intensity of the confrontation.
A video showing Patna West Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanket Kumar exhorting his subordinates not to retreat before they moved against the protesters has gone viral, capturing the charged atmosphere on the streets.
"If you retreat, I won't leave you fit to do this job," the IPS officer was heard telling his personnel, urging them to hold their ground. Seconds later, the policemen were seen charging towards the protesters.
The video, which has now gone viral, underscores the tense atmosphere on the ground as police prepared to confront the protesters. It surfaced as hundreds of student activists clashed with police during a march towards Lok Bhavan in the Bihar capital.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against students protesting in Delhi earlier this week.
The protest, led largely by activists affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), the student wing of the CPI(ML) Liberation, began at Gandhi Maidan before demonstrators attempted to march towards the high-security government zone.
Police had erected barricades at Dak Bungalow crossing to stop the procession. When protesters refused to disperse, security personnel used tear gas shells, water cannons and batons to push them back.
Stone-pelting was also reported during the clashes, with some journalists allegedly assaulted by protesters while covering the demonstration.
As the march progressed towards the Income Tax roundabout, a group of protesters reportedly broke away and reached the Bihar BJP headquarters on Birchand Patel Marg, where stones were hurled, damaging several vehicles.
The police subsequently intensified their operation near the secretariat after protesters attempted to move towards the restricted VVIP zone in small groups.
A large contingent of central paramilitary forces was deployed as the situation escalated. Protesters were rounded up and taken to police stations, though officials did not immediately disclose the number of detentions or arrests.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma said at least 22 police personnel were injured in the clashes.
"At least 22 police personnel have received injuries. Some of them have been discharged after first aid. Those with major injuries are still undergoing treatment at hospitals. Cases are being lodged. We expect the total number of FIRs to be in excess of 15," Sharma told news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, AISA leader and Paliganj MLA Sandeep Saurav accused the police of using excessive force. "We seek the resignation of Pradhan for his failure to prevent NEET exam paper leaks. We also demand the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah," he said.
"We are all marching peacefully, but the police are indiscriminately roughing up boys and girls only because they are being seen in groups of four to five. This shows the anti-democratic character of the BJP," he added.
The scale of the unrest also affected the Bihar Assembly's Monsoon session, with the assembly premises temporarily sealed after protesters approached the restricted area. Members of both Houses remained inside the complex for some time after proceedings concluded.
As hundreds of students marched through Patna demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the protest soon spiralled into a violent face-off with the police. While the clashes left several personnel injured and parts of the city under heavy security, one moment from Wednesday's unrest has come to symbolise the intensity of the confrontation.
A video showing Patna West Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanket Kumar exhorting his subordinates not to retreat before they moved against the protesters has gone viral, capturing the charged atmosphere on the streets.
"If you retreat, I won't leave you fit to do this job," the IPS officer was heard telling his personnel, urging them to hold their ground. Seconds later, the policemen were seen charging towards the protesters.
The video, which has now gone viral, underscores the tense atmosphere on the ground as police prepared to confront the protesters. It surfaced as hundreds of student activists clashed with police during a march towards Lok Bhavan in the Bihar capital.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against students protesting in Delhi earlier this week.
The protest, led largely by activists affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), the student wing of the CPI(ML) Liberation, began at Gandhi Maidan before demonstrators attempted to march towards the high-security government zone.
Police had erected barricades at Dak Bungalow crossing to stop the procession. When protesters refused to disperse, security personnel used tear gas shells, water cannons and batons to push them back.
Stone-pelting was also reported during the clashes, with some journalists allegedly assaulted by protesters while covering the demonstration.
As the march progressed towards the Income Tax roundabout, a group of protesters reportedly broke away and reached the Bihar BJP headquarters on Birchand Patel Marg, where stones were hurled, damaging several vehicles.
The police subsequently intensified their operation near the secretariat after protesters attempted to move towards the restricted VVIP zone in small groups.
A large contingent of central paramilitary forces was deployed as the situation escalated. Protesters were rounded up and taken to police stations, though officials did not immediately disclose the number of detentions or arrests.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma said at least 22 police personnel were injured in the clashes.
"At least 22 police personnel have received injuries. Some of them have been discharged after first aid. Those with major injuries are still undergoing treatment at hospitals. Cases are being lodged. We expect the total number of FIRs to be in excess of 15," Sharma told news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, AISA leader and Paliganj MLA Sandeep Saurav accused the police of using excessive force. "We seek the resignation of Pradhan for his failure to prevent NEET exam paper leaks. We also demand the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah," he said.
"We are all marching peacefully, but the police are indiscriminately roughing up boys and girls only because they are being seen in groups of four to five. This shows the anti-democratic character of the BJP," he added.
The scale of the unrest also affected the Bihar Assembly's Monsoon session, with the assembly premises temporarily sealed after protesters approached the restricted area. Members of both Houses remained inside the complex for some time after proceedings concluded.
As hundreds of students marched through Patna demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the protest soon spiralled into a violent face-off with the police. While the clashes left several personnel injured and parts of the city under heavy security, one moment from Wednesday's unrest has come to symbolise the intensity of the confrontation.
A video showing Patna West Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanket Kumar exhorting his subordinates not to retreat before they moved against the protesters has gone viral, capturing the charged atmosphere on the streets.
"If you retreat, I won't leave you fit to do this job," the IPS officer was heard telling his personnel, urging them to hold their ground. Seconds later, the policemen were seen charging towards the protesters.
The video, which has now gone viral, underscores the tense atmosphere on the ground as police prepared to confront the protesters. It surfaced as hundreds of student activists clashed with police during a march towards Lok Bhavan in the Bihar capital.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action against students protesting in Delhi earlier this week.
The protest, led largely by activists affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), the student wing of the CPI(ML) Liberation, began at Gandhi Maidan before demonstrators attempted to march towards the high-security government zone.
Police had erected barricades at Dak Bungalow crossing to stop the procession. When protesters refused to disperse, security personnel used tear gas shells, water cannons and batons to push them back.
Stone-pelting was also reported during the clashes, with some journalists allegedly assaulted by protesters while covering the demonstration.
As the march progressed towards the Income Tax roundabout, a group of protesters reportedly broke away and reached the Bihar BJP headquarters on Birchand Patel Marg, where stones were hurled, damaging several vehicles.
The police subsequently intensified their operation near the secretariat after protesters attempted to move towards the restricted VVIP zone in small groups.
A large contingent of central paramilitary forces was deployed as the situation escalated. Protesters were rounded up and taken to police stations, though officials did not immediately disclose the number of detentions or arrests.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma said at least 22 police personnel were injured in the clashes.
"At least 22 police personnel have received injuries. Some of them have been discharged after first aid. Those with major injuries are still undergoing treatment at hospitals. Cases are being lodged. We expect the total number of FIRs to be in excess of 15," Sharma told news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, AISA leader and Paliganj MLA Sandeep Saurav accused the police of using excessive force. "We seek the resignation of Pradhan for his failure to prevent NEET exam paper leaks. We also demand the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah," he said.
"We are all marching peacefully, but the police are indiscriminately roughing up boys and girls only because they are being seen in groups of four to five. This shows the anti-democratic character of the BJP," he added.
The scale of the unrest also affected the Bihar Assembly's Monsoon session, with the assembly premises temporarily sealed after protesters approached the restricted area. Members of both Houses remained inside the complex for some time after proceedings concluded.
