Rediff

Patna, Oct 24: Anti-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena protests continued unabated in Bihar for the fourth day on Friday with agitated students indulging in arson and vandalism in Patna over assault on Hindi speaking candidates of railway recruitment examination in Mumbai.

Around 100 youths armed with sticks descended on the streets in Boring Road area of the capital on Friday and smashed window panes of shops and pulled down arches put up for Diwali, police said.

The agitators also hurled stones at a police outpost on Boring Road-Srikrishnapuri intersection. Initially exercising extreme restraint, the men in uniform baton-charged the violent crowd when they started smashing private vehicles, sources said.

The students also resorted to burning tyres to block traffic on Boring road, which were soon extinguished. Two students suffered minor injuries in the baton-charge they said, adding, a strong contingent of police was rushed to the spot.

When contacted, Srikrishnapuri police station sources said no arrests have been made so far and claimed that the situation was "calm and under control."

Patrolling has been intensified and static forces deployed at vital points to meet any eventuality, they said, adding, there were no reports of violence from any other part.