PATNA, July 30 -- The process for release of student protestors lodged in various jails in the state started on Wednesday with the Patna Civil court having sent a list of 82 protestors for release from Beur jail while 17 protestors are likely to be released from Siwan jail on Thursday, police said. Out of the 82 persons whose names were sent to Beur jail for release, around 12 persons walked out of jail in the afternoon on Wednesday while rest of them were going to be released by late evening, officers said. In other districts too, the release of protestors had started and most of those protestors having a clean record without any criminal antecedents were set to be released by Thursday, they added. One of the student union leaders, Shantanu Shekhar, was also released from Beur jail among others. Patna City SP (Central) Mamta Kalyani said the police had completed all formalities for the release of those arrested. "All formalities from our side concerning the release of the protesters arrested in Patna district have already been completed. They are expected to be released soon," she said, adding that the delay could be due to other legal formalities and the large number of protesters involved. In Patna, 27 FIRs were registered in connection with students' protests and over 150 protestors were arrested and sent to jail. In total, 405 protestors were in jail across the state till Tuesday waiting for release after the state started the process withdrawing FIRs lodged in connection with the protests from July 22 to 26 (till 6 pm) on Tuesday, following an announcement in this connection on Monday night. However, there are indications that of the 405 arrested protestors, those having criminal antecedents may not come out of jail soon. Sources said the police have started the process of verifying the criminal antecedents of those arrested in connection of students protests related FIRs in light of the recent Supreme Court order. The top court had on Tuesday directed all states to immediately release minors arrested in connection with the protests and also not take any coercive action against the protestors but had underlined that the interim protection would not be extended to 'anti social elements' or those having criminal antecedents. "We are checking the criminal antecedents of each of the student protestors staying in jail. Those who have a clean record are being released but those having any criminal antecedents would have to go through the bail process before being released, despite the FIRs being withdrawn," said a senior police official at the state police headquarters. The SPs of the districts have been asked to find out how many people have criminal history registered with 64 FIRs and inform the concerned court. If they are not in custody, they should be arrested. According to information received from Siwan, police had registered an FIR against 64 people, including former MLA Amarjeet Kushwaha, of which 21 people have a criminal history. Government had on Monday announced all 64 FIRs would be withdrawn related to students protests during Bihar bandh and Wednesday's students protests called by AISA over NEET paper (UG) paper leak case. In Patna, there was a big crowd of parents seen outside Beur jail where a large number of students protestors (over 150) had been lodged after arrests last week. Beur jail superintendent Rajiv Kumar said that after receiving the release order from the court concerned, all the students were being released. As soon as the news of the release was received, a huge crowd of family members, friends and supporters of the students gathered at the main gate of the Beur jail. As soon as they came out, the students were welcomed with garlands. Rajkumar, who arrived in Patna from Sitamarhi to take his son, said that in the protest held on July 25. His son was picked up by the police while returning from coaching institute and sent to Beur jail. Since Wednesday morning, I have been waiting near the jail for my son. Mohammed Waseer, who also arrived near Beur prison told HT that his brother was coming out of a doctor clinic during the Bihar bandh. "Police forcibly picked him up and later forwarded to judicial custody," said Waseer, adding that "I got information that my brother would be released on Wednesday and reached near the jail." Meanwhile, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to an injured student over phone, who is undergoing treatment in Jayprabha Medanata Hospital. Aakash Kumar along with two others had allegedly received bullet injuries during the protest in Siwan. In the conversation, Rahul asked the student about his health and wished him a speedy recovery. Akash told him that he received a bullet injury in his shoulder and is having problems in one hand. On the other hand, the CPI(ML)-Liberation on Wednesday alleged that several student protesters, along with its MLA Sandeep Saurav, continued to remain lodged in Patna's Beur Central Jail despite the Bihar government's decision to withdraw cases against them. While Janashakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav was released from the jail late Tuesday, several other protesters including leaders of student organisations, were yet to be free, party leaders claimed. MLA Saurav was arrested and sent to judicial custody on Friday on charges of inciting violence during the July 22 protest in Patna over the alleged NEET paper leak. AISA activist Naushad Ahmed, considered close to Saurav, claimed that all necessary documents had been submitted to the authorities. He said that all formalities had been completed for Saurav's release. CPI(ML)-Liberation central committee member Kumar Parvez said, "Even after the government's decision, our MLA, AISA activists and several other jailed student protesters have not been released. The authorities should expedite the process."...