Constructive talks, says delegation of BPSC candidates after meeting Bihar chief secretary

Patna - A delegation of ten BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) aspirants met with Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena today to discuss the ongoing protests over the BPSC Preliminary Test. The meeting, described as "constructive and positive" by the candidates, follows a lathi-charge on protesting candidates by Patna Police on Sunday.

The candidates presented their grievances to the Chief Secretary, who assured them that the government is actively considering their demands and will make a decision soon. Nikhil Tiwari, a candidate from Bettiah, stated, "There was a very positive conversation with the Chief Secretary. He took our concerns seriously and assured us that action will be taken soon."

The protest, now in its 12th day, has garnered support from political figures, student leaders, and coaching operators. With Chief Minister Nitish Kumar currently out of Patna, a decision on the matter is not expected until his return.

On December 13, candidates at the Bapu Examination Centre boycotted the BPSC Preliminary Test because question papers were delayed. Allegations of mobile phone use and lax security during the test further fueled the protests, leading BPSC to cancel the exam at that center and reschedule it for December 4.

Dissatisfied, candidates demanded the cancellation of the exam across all centers, alleging widespread irregularities. The situation escalated on Sunday when police used lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse candidates who were marching towards the Chief Minister's residence under the leadership of political strategist Prashant Kishor. Clashes injured several students.

Subhash Kumar, a candidate from Muzaffarpur, emphasized that the protests will continue until the government addresses their demands. "No clear decision has been taken yet," Kumar stated. "The Chief Secretary has listened to our demands, but no resolution has been reached so far. Until the government takes action, our agitation will persist."