Activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) took out a march to the Income Tax office here on Wednesday (May 13) as part of their State-wide protest against the alleged leak of the NEET UG question paper and the subsequent cancellation of the examination.

The protest witnessed the participation of a large number of students from various schools and colleges. The protesters alleged that the Central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) had failed to perform their responsibilities properly and were “torturing” thousands of students who had prepared rigorously for the competitive examination.

Tension escalated when the march, which disrupted vehicular traffic, reached near the Income Tax office premises. The police used water cannons to disperse the protesters after they allegedly attempted to breach barricades erected to prevent entry into the secured compound. Some protesters also tried to overturn the barricades, leading to a brief confrontation with the police.

Accusing the NTA of gross negligence and demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examination, the protesters raised slogans and warned that stronger agitations would be organised to secure justice for the affected students.

Though the situation remained tense for some time, a senior police officer said no one suffered serious injuries. He also said adequate preventive measures had been taken in advance to avoid any untoward incidents.