PATNA, July 29 -- Families of students who joined the protest against alleged question paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET 2026 in the state expressed relief as the state government withdrew cases lodged against them and facilitated their unconditional release from the respective jails. Parents and guardians of the protesters made frantic runs to the police stations and jails to get their wards released. Now that the government has announced to withdraw all cases registered against student protesters, including those who took part in the Bihar Bandh, in line with the demand raised by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), it has brought a collective sigh of relief to families who spent anxious days and sleepless nights after their children were arrested during demonstrations that began peacefully but turned chaotic in places like Darbhanga and Aurangabad. In Darbhanga, the family of a minor student from Karamganj locality recounted the trauma of his sudden arrest during a protest march on July 23 that turned violent with stone-pelting. His uncle, Sikandar, said the boy was preparing for NEET and had only joined a peaceful protest. "He was arrested from the site despite doing nothing wrong," he said. The family managed to secure bail the next day with a lawyer's help. CCTV footage later confirmed the student's non-involvement in the violence. A court hearing is scheduled for July 30, and the family now hopes the government's withdrawal order will resolve the matter swiftly. Congress district president Jamal Hasan expressed shock at finding his name in the FIR despite being absent from Darbhanga that day. He provided evidence of his travel from Kolkata to Delhi, including train tickets and a ride receipt. Hasan alleged the inclusion reflected political vendetta and stated he would have willingly joined the students had he been present. In Aurangabad, families of youths arrested during protests at Ramesh Chowk on July 25 described sleepless nights. Mohammad Jamal, father of 20-year-old Mohammad Babla from Kalami Mohalla, said he had no idea his son had gone to the protest until police arrested him. "The entire family has been in turmoil," he recounted. On Monday, just as the family was preparing to file a bail application, news of the government's decision to withdraw cases brought overwhelming joy and relief. They have now decided to wait for the official order before taking further legal steps. Similar distress was reported in the case of AISA leader Dipankar Mishra who was arrested on July 24. His father, Vijayendra Mishra from Chapra, said, "We had to run to the police station multiple times just to know his whereabouts. The family has been harassed tremendously." Mishra said his son was framed with serious charges despite only leading a peaceful march to Raj Bhawan on July 22. "It is not wrong to carry out a peaceful protest. We are still waiting for his release from Beur jail and hoping it happens soon," he added. A case registered at Aurangabad's town police station named 12 individuals and over 1,000 unidentified persons, charging them with attempted murder, rioting, and destruction of property. Among those jailed were Mohammad Babla and Kundan Kumar (20) from Kharkani village, and Nagendra Kumar (24) from Rampur village. District prosecution officer Deepak Kumar Sinha confirmed that once the official government order is received and the cases will be formally withdrawn and the arrested students released....