PATNA: A coaching institute run by educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as ‘Khan Sir’, was targeted with gunfire, vandalised and pelted with stones in Patna, police said on Wednesday.
The incident took place at Khan Global Coaching Institute in Kadamkuan police station area on Tuesday night, they said.
Police said three people, including the director of a rival coaching centre, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
“We received information around 10.10 pm on Tuesday about stone-pelting and damage to property at Khan Global Coaching Institute under the jurisdiction of Kadamkuan Police Station. A police team was immediately sent to the spot and an investigation has been launched,” a statement issued by the City SP office said.
Preliminary investigation and examination of CCTV footage indicated that around 15 to 20 people associated with another coaching institute in Patna were allegedly involved in the stone-pelting and vandalism act, it added.
Patna SSP Kartikey K Sharma told PTI, “Police are currently identifying the suspects…Verification is being done through investigation. The people involved will be identified. Whoever is involved in this, action will be taken against all of them.”
Khan, addressing reporters after the incident, said, “Some anti-social elements from a nearby coaching created widespread damage, beat our guard badly and even fired gunshots. Their primary angst is how can someone teach students at such a low cost and still deliver thousands of results each year.” He was referring to the results of Bihar Police Recruitment exams, released recently.
Police said physical assault took place but could not confirm the incident of firing based on available CCTV footage.
Students assembled outside the coaching centre on Wednesday morning to protest the attack, while police heightened security in the area.
Town DSP-1 Rajesh Ranjan said four people have been named as accused alongside 15-20 unidentified persons.
Of the named accused, three people, including the rival coaching centre’s director Roshan Anand, have been arrested and efforts are on to nab the other accused, he said.
He said that after reviewing the CCTV camera footage from the coaching centre and nearby areas, it has not been confirmed yet whether anyone resorted to firing.
“This was not mentioned in the written application submitted by the coaching institute as well. People are seen throwing bricks and stones and vandalising a hoarding,” he said.
The officer said that prima facie, the incident appears to be a case of inter-coaching rivalry, but the police are investigating all aspects of the matter thoroughly.
According to a police statement, an FIR was registered under sections of the BNS on the basis of a complaint lodged by Kanhaiya Kumar Singh, manager of Khan Global Studies Coaching Institute.
Anand, speaking to reporters, alleged that efforts were being made to malign him and his coaching institute.
Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said a policy would be formulated to prevent the recurrence of such events.
“The government will formulate a policy within the next three months, after consulting all stakeholders, to stop such incidents from occurring. If these coaching institutes behave like this over rivalry and disturb law and order, then a targeted policy is required for sure,” he said.
PTI/Agencies