Police use water cannon as PhD candidates continue hunger strike in Patna

Doctoral scholars and research students continued their 18‑day fast on Saturday, marching from Gurdani Bagh toward the Lok Bhavan complex in Patna. The procession was halted by police barricades positioned near the sensitive R‑Block zone, which includes the High Court and several government offices.

When the crowd attempted to breach the barricade, police responded with water cannons and other crowd‑control equipment. The forceful response kept the demonstrators from reaching Lok Bhavan, and traffic around R‑Block remained disrupted for several hours, though cars could still move along the southern route.

SP Krishna Murari Prasad explained that the protest is being led by Kumud Patel, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike. He noted that a five‑member delegation will be permitted to submit a written demand to the Chief Minister’s office, and that police have asked the protest leaders to call off the march and leave the area peacefully.