Women activists hold march, seek justice for medical aspirant

Patna: Women activists from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) staged a protest march in Patna on Tuesday, demanding justice in the case of a deceased NEET student and alleging the rise in violence against women, girl students and minor girls in Bihar.The ‘Beti Bachao Nyay Yatra’, which began from Jehanabad on Feb 4, reached Patna after passing through Nalanda, Nawada, Gaya and Arwal districts. The yatra originated from the village of the deceased NEET student and was aimed at drawing attention to crimes against women and alleged administrative failures in ensuring their safety.The march began from Gandhi Maidan (gate number 10) around 12 noon on Tuesday with participants moving towards the Bihar legislative assembly. Police erected barricades at J P Golambar to regulate the procession, but the women broke through and continued marching despite mild force being used to stop them.At Dak Bungalow crossing, the authorities again stopped the group using barricades and halted traffic in the area. DSP (law and order) Krishna Murari Prasad, along with personnel from Kotwali police station, reached the spot and urged the protestors to return, making repeated attempts to persuade them. As slogans against the govt intensified and the group pushed to move towards the assembly, police deployed a water cannon vehicle as a precautionary measure.The DSP said that after persuasion, the protestors sat peacefully at Dak Bungalow crossing and raised their demands. “No arresting or detention was made. Police maintain the law and order situation. We put up the barricade to ensure that no one crossed the barrier and entered the no-protesting zone. After shouting slogans, the protestors left and smooth traffic movement was ensured,” he told TOI.Addressing the gathering, AIPWA general secretary Meena Tiwari said serious crimes against women and girl students were continuing in Bihar. “The case of the NEET student, the rape of a 6-year-old girl in Darbhanga and incidents in Buxar demonstrate the govt’s complete failure to ensure women’s safety. Instead of acting against perpetrators, the administration is using force against protesting women,” she said.