Patna, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A planned RJD march towards Raj Bhavan in Patna turned tense on Wednesday as party workers clashed with police while attempting to cross barricades erected to stop the protesters from proceeding towards the Governor’s residence.
The RJD had organised the demonstration over a range of issues, including student grievances, unemployment, alleged examination irregularities, paper leaks, recruitment concerns and the controversy surrounding AK-47 firing in Siwan.
Police had placed barricades along the route from JP Golambar towards Dak Bungalow Crossing as part of security arrangements. Trouble began when protesters attempted to remove or breach the barricades, leading to scuffles between the two sides.
Police subsequently used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators as tensions rose. Protesters continued shouting slogans against the Bihar government and police, while many carried the Tricolour and posters highlighting students’ concerns.
The situation became particularly tense near Income Tax Golambar when Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was detained as he tried to proceed with the march. Several other protesters were also detained and taken away in buses. RJD MP from Buxar Sudhakar Singh was among those taken into custody.
RJD workers from several districts participated in the demonstration. Some carried toy replicas of AK-47 rifles to symbolically highlight the Siwan firing controversy, while other posters alleged the use of firearms against students.
RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha said the protest reflected growing frustration among students and young people over unemployment and repeated controversies surrounding examinations and recruitment.
The party has also raised allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in government recruitment.
Security had been tightened across Patna ahead of the march, with a substantial police deployment along the protest route. Senior officers, including Patna Inspector General Jitendra Rana, monitored the situation. Police personnel had been directed to maintain law and order and avoid using force without authorisation from senior officers.
The confrontation has further sharpened the political battle between the RJD and the Bihar government. Tejashwi Yadav has alleged that the administration was attempting to suppress the Opposition’s protest.
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