A police constable in Bihar’s Siwan district has been suspended after a purported video showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest on July 25 went viral on social media. The authenticity of the video, however, could not be independently verified.
Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Puran Kumar Jha confirmed the action, stating that the constable, who was posted with the district intelligence unit (DIU), has been suspended with immediate effect. “Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against him,” Jha said.
The SP said no injuries were reported in the alleged firing. An inquiry has been launched to determine the circumstances under which the constable used the weapon during the protest. “There were clear instructions to the police force not to open fire during the demonstration,” he said.
The incident occurred amid widespread protests across Bihar on July 25, when members of Left-wing student organisations staged demonstrations in support of the Bihar Bandh called against the NEET paper leak and alleged police action against protesting students. The bandh turned violent in several districts, including Patna, Saran, Siwan, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Purnia and Bhojpur, while relatively milder protests were reported from Samastipur, Nawada, Nalanda, Madhubani and Sheikhpura.
In Patna, protesters reportedly pelted stones and bricks at police personnel at the Dak Bungalow crossing, prompting authorities to detain several students.
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also raised the issue, alleging that police had opened fire on students during the protest in Siwan. In a post on X, Yadav accused the state government of mishandling the situation and blamed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident. He alleged that the use of an AK-47 against protesting students reflected a breakdown of democratic norms. Officials have stated that the ongoing inquiry will establish the facts surrounding the incident.
In the purported video, the cop, Abhishek Patel, wearing a blue helmet and a bulletproof vest, could be seen charging towards the protesters. He was seen firing at least one shot in the video, though bystanders claimed that at least four to five rounds were fired, before the cop urged his colleagues to follow him. One of them then came, stooped down and appeared to pick up something from the ground before throwing it at the protesters.
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