Patna, Feb. 13: Parents’ concern for their wards’ performance in examination led to a near-anarchic situation at a college in Bihar’s Saharsa district today.

Police had to fire 16 rounds in the air to disperse the mob after around 1,000 guardians turned violent for being refused to help the examinees through chits.

The students were writing the mathematics paper of the intermediate science examination at Sarva Narayan Singh College when scores of parents and relatives gathered there with the intention of smuggling in chits to help their wards.

When the guardians failed to do so, they became “angry with the strict vigil” and started pelting stones, causing injuries to five persons. The incident took place around 12 noon. Saharsa town is around 225 km from the state capital.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a senior police officer said: “As the guardians were unable to pass on the chits to their wards, they lost patience and started throwing stones at the college gate.”

An exam magistrate, three home guard jawans and a college employee suffered minor injuries in the incident.

The crowd tried to pull down the main gate and damage furniture, said district magistrate Niranjan Kumar Choudhary. Left with no option, the college authorities called for police help and a force arrived soon after.

Sixteen rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob. There was no further trouble.

Superintendent of police M.A. Ahmed said: “We had to fire in the air to prevent the use of unfair means in the examination and control the unruly parents.”

The senior official said a case of rioting against unknown persons had been registered at Saharsa Nagar police station.

Choudhary said the district administration would ensure “cheating-free” exams at all centres.

More than 5 lakh students write the intermediate science, arts and commerce exams in Bihar every year.