Bihar cop suspended for firing AK-47 rifle at protesting students

Patna : A Bihar police constable faces suspension and departmental proceedings after a viral video captured him allegedly using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest in Siwan, sparking widespread concern and political condemnation.

A Bihar police constable was suspended for allegedly using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest in Siwan.

The suspension followed a viral video showing the constable with the assault rifle during the July 25 demonstration.

An inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances of the AK-47's use, despite clear instructions against opening fire.

The protest, part of a Bihar Bandh against the NEET paper leak, saw clashes and violence in multiple districts.

Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the police action and blamed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident.

A police constable was suspended after a purported video showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest in Bihar's Siwan district on July 25 went viral on social media, officials said on Monday. The authenticity of the video could not be verified independently. 

Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha told IWP, "The constable, posted with the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), has been suspended with immediate effect after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest went viral on social media. Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against him."

"No one was injured in the firing," he added. Inquiry Initiated Into AK-47 Use : The SP said an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the circumstances under which the constable used the AK-47 rifle during the protest.

"There were clear instructions to the police force not to open fire during the demonstration," he said.

Student Protests Turn Violent Across Bihar : On July 25, members of Left-wing student organisations staged demonstrations and clashed with police in several districts in support of the Bihar Bandh called against the NEET paper leak and police action on protesting students.

The bandh turned violent in Patna, Saran, Siwan, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Purnia and Bhojpur, while Samastipur, Nawada, Nalanda, Madhubani and Sheikhpura witnessed mild protests.

Protesters pelted stones and bricks at police personnel at Dak Bungalow crossing in Patna, following which several students were detained.

Political Reaction To Police Action : Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also raised the issue and accused the police of opening fire on students during the Bihar Bandh protest in Siwan.

He also blamed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident.

"During the protest in Siwan, police resorted to direct firing with an AK-47 on the students. When the accused criminal in seven murders becomes the chief minister, then in democracy, the police fire bullets like this at innocent students," Yadav said in a post on X.

Yadav was referring to Choudhary, whom he has frequently described as a person "accused in seven murder cases".