In protest season, Bihar clears Rs 62.5 crore for water cannons, anti-riot vehicles

In a year with frequent student protests and demonstrations, the Bihar Cabinet allocated Rs 62.52 crore for 30 water cannons and 86 anti-riot Vajra vehicles on Wednesday. The Cabinet's decision aimed at enhancing law-and-order capabilities during crowd control situations, festivals, fairs, and election rallies. The Home Department, under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, revealed that the newly acquired vehicles would also be utilized during VIP and VVIP visits, movements, and for riot control, land disputes, road accidents on national highways, communal sensitivities, and other emergency scenarios.

The approval for these vehicles follows weeks of student-led protests, including those demanding NEET-UG paper access and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It also comes after the establishment of District Anti-Riot Forces (DARF), with dedicated units at district and sub-divisional levels, trained to handle violent protests, communal tension, road blockades, and attacks on government property.

The Cabinet also approved 30 agenda items, such as the draft Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy, revised cost for grid electrification, financial approval for a proposed hotel in Patna, and creation of 34 posts for two proposed universities.

Despite concerns over rising riot cases, data from the state government shows a decline in such incidents over the past five years. The number of riot cases dropped from 9,419 in 2020 to 2,502 in 2025. However, the recent wave of protests in Bihar, from NEET to TRE-4, has highlighted the need for robust law-enforcement measures to maintain public order.