PATNA, Jan 26: Agitating Railway job-seekers in Bihar set fire to a train on
the third day of their protests on Wednesday. They stormed the Gaya Junction
railway station and set ablaze the Bhabua-Patna Inter City Express. Demonstrations
were held at other stations too.
Candidates for the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) exam and Level 2
tests have been staging violent protests over the selection process. They are
opposing the two-stage exams alleging that the second stage is meant to manipulate
the results. They also alleged irregularities in the tests. The result of the
first stage of computer based test (CBT) was released on January 15. Around
1.25 crore candidates had applied for 35,000 jobs advertised for Level 2 to
6. Of them, 60 lakhs had appeared in the exam. Tests were going on for a couple
of years in phases.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cautioned the demonstrators that due process
will be followed if they destroy public property.
The Railways has suspended the exam following the violence. It said in a statement
that a committee has been formed to look into the grievances of the candidates.
It will submit its report before March 4.
The demonstrators had on Tuesday squatted on railway tracks at many places
in Bihar leading to cancellation of several trains. At Nalanda, Nawada, Buxar,
Ara, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Motihari stations the agitation had turned violent.
Police had to use teargas and water cannons.
