TRE-4 Protest Intensifies In Patna Student Leaders Detained Ahead Of Demonstration

(MENAFN- IANS) Patna, May 20 (IANS) Tension prevailed in Patna on Wednesday as candidates demanding the release of vacancies for the fourth phase of the Bihar Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4) prepared for a large-scale protest.

Even before the demonstration could begin, police detained several student leaders, including Rinkle Yadav and Khushboo Pathak.

Rinkle Yadav, who had earlier contested the Patna University Students' Union elections for the post of president with support from Tej Pratap Yadav, was taken into custody ahead of the protest.

Khushboo Pathak was reportedly detained by police near Bihta while travelling from Arrah to Patna in order to participate in the agitation.

In anticipation of the protest by students, a heavy police presence was deployed around Patna College and adjoining areas.

Water cannons were also stationed at the site as a precautionary measure.

Candidates had announced plans to protest symbolically using metal plates and rolling pins.

However, the main gate of Patna College was locked, and protesters were prevented from gathering inside the premises.

According to candidates participating in the agitation, more than 50 student leaders and aspirants had been detained and taken to police stations.

A Patna Town DSP stated that examinations were scheduled at various university faculties, necessitating additional police deployment to maintain law and order.

He confirmed that several individuals had been detained but said no injuries were reported.

Teacher aspirants alleged that despite repeated assurances, the Bihar government has failed to issue the official notification for TRE-4 recruitment.

Student leader Bikesh Bhatt claimed that thousands of teaching posts remain vacant in Bihar schools, yet the recruitment process has faced continuous delays for over two-and-a-half years.

According to candidates, the examination was initially expected in August 2025, and an earlier announcement regarding exam dates had been made before the Assembly elections. However, the process stalled afterwards.

They also pointed out that the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Examination Controller had indicated in a recent podcast that the application process would begin on April 25, but no official advertisement has been issued so far.

Bihar Education Minister, Mithilesh Tiwari, appealed to students to remain patient and avoid panic, assuring them that the recruitment notification would be released soon.

He also alleged that outsiders were attempting to disrupt the process and said such efforts would not be allowed to succeed.

Tiwari had assumed charge as Education Minister on May 8 and had earlier sought 10 days' time from protesting candidates to consider their demands.

The TRE-4 recruitment is expected to cover approximately 46,882 teaching posts across Bihar.

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