Several injured, Patna students vandalise coaching centres

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It all started when the students assembled at the Bazar Samiti locality here and then spread to congested Khazanchi Road, Naya Tola, B.M. Das Road and Bhikhna Pahari areas where most of the coaching institutes are located.

The angry students blocked roads, threw stones, set ablaze some vehicles at Khazanchi Road and Naya Tola, and vandalised properties of many institutes, demanding closure of such centres that charge steep fees but fail even to complete the courses on time.

The security guard of one of the coaching centres fired at the students, injuring one of them critically, police said.

"A student was injured in a firing by a security guard of a coaching institute at Machua Toli area here. He was admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment," a police official said.

Initially it was rumoured that the gun shot was fired by the police, which gave a fillip to the protest.

According to the police, students clashed with them after the incident, forcing them to fire tear-gas shells and resort to baton charge to disperse the mobs.

"The coaching institutes have cheated us. Our plus-two exams are due from early March but the courses have not been completed even though we had paid the full money in advance," said Vikram Kumar Singh, one of the protesting students.

Another student, Shakil Ansari, said that coaching institutes in Patna are minting money in the name of providing help to students.

"They have nothing to do with education, it is a totally commercial venture to dupe students," Ansari said.

Patna District Magistrate Jitendra Prasad ordered a probe into the allegations against coaching institutes and assured students action would be taken against these institutes if they are found guilty.