A police constable in Siwan, Bihar, has been suspended after viral footage captured him opening fire with an AK-47 rifle during the statewide ‘Bihar Bandh’ student demonstrations on July 25.
Key Highlights of the Incident
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Incident Location & Context: Clashes broke out between police and student organizations in Siwan district during a statewide shutdown called over the NEET paper leak controversy.
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Action Taken: The Bihar Police Headquarters initiated a departmental inquiry into the protocol violation and suspended the Siwan police personnel seen using the automatic rifle.
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Injuries: Three individuals sustained bullet injuries during the unrest in Siwan, including 15-year-old Md Arif, who was struck in the neck while returning home. All three injured victims are reported to be in stable condition following surgeries in Patna.
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Political Fallout: Leaders of the Opposition, including Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, condemned the use of disproportionate force against protesting youth and demanded strict accountability for the officers involved.
A detailed departmental investigation is underway to determine whether the use of automatic firearms complied with riot-control guidelines and if further legal charges will be filed.
For local news reporting and video footage covering the clashes in Siwan during the protest, see this report on the Siwan NEET Protest Clashes. This coverage outlines how the demonstration escalated and highlights the statements issued by regional police officials.
