Prayagraj: MG Road in Civil Lines turned into Delhi’s ‘Jantar Mantar’ on Saturday as thousands of students and youths converged to protest the NEET paper leak and irregularities in competitive examinations. Though largely peaceful, the demonstration saw some tense moments when a few participants allegedly vandalised public property and damaged vehicles.Braving intermittent spells of heavy rain and carrying placards, thousands of youths gathered near All Saints Cathedral from around 10am ahead of the 11am demonstration called by the Disha student organisation. Protesters demanded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and accountability for alleged examination irregularities and delays in govt recruitment.

As the crowd swelled through the day, the situation became unruly at some places. A group of protesters allegedly damaged equipment fitted on a parked fire brigade vehicle, while another group overturned an SUV bearing the word “Sansad”. Police later removed the vehicle and intensified security deployment in the area.Some youths were also seen climbing newly installed decorative streetlights in Civil Lines, allegedly damaging them. Several protesters climbed onto the statue of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, raising concerns over the safety of public property and the sanctity of the memorial.As a precautionary measure, many shopkeepers kept their establishments shut, while police personnel remained deployed across the area to maintain law and order.Later, the district magistrate reached the protest site, interacted with the demonstrators and accepted a memorandum listing their demands. The DM also appealed to them to end the agitation.The protest was part of a nationwide mobilisation against the alleged NEET paper leak and followed demonstrations over the alleged lathicharge on students and youths in Delhi.Cops play Good SamaritansAmid the protest, police personnel at Subhash Crossing helped a woman and her young daughter, who were stranded in the crowd while trying to reach Lalgopalganj. The policemen arranged an e-rickshaw, paid the fare and ensured the duo reached the temporary bus stand near CMP Degree College, enabling them to catch a bus home safely.