Mahagathbandhan leaders detained in Patna during SIR protest

Mahagathbandhan leaders Tejashwi Yadav, Misa Bharti and Mukesh Sahani were detained by police in Patna on Thursday as they led a protest march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The opposition alliance had organised the march to press its demand for the CEC’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. Police had put up barricades at several points to stop the protesters from advancing towards Lok Bhawan.

During the demonstration, Tejashwi climbed onto a barricade and tried to push ahead, triggering a scuffle with police personnel. He was subsequently detained along with RJD Lok Sabha member Misa Bharti and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani. The detained leaders were later taken to Lok Bhawan, where the Mahagathbandhan delegation was scheduled to submit a memorandum to the Governor.

Speaking at the protest, Tejashwi said the opposition’s core demand was free and fair elections and criticised the heavy police deployment, alleging that the opposition was being subjected to excessive security measures. He reiterated claims that the SIR exercise had adversely affected a large number of voters and said the alliance had repeatedly raised the issue with the Election Commission without getting an adequate response.

Tensions rose further when several Mahagathbandhan leaders climbed onto a vehicle belonging to an SDPO. Mukesh Sahani alleged he suffered a finger injury during the confrontation, while India Inclusive Party leader I.P. Gupta claimed a police baton was pushed into his abdomen; these allegations could not be independently verified.

The Patna administration had made extensive security arrangements ahead of the protest, erecting barricades at multiple locations, keeping water-cannon vehicles on standby and deploying a large contingent of Bihar Police. A multi-layered security cordon was put in place around sensitive areas and routes leading to Lok Bhawan to prevent any breach of the designated perimeter and to regulate traffic.

(Inputs from IANS)