Bihar cop seen with AK-47 in Siwan protest suspended; probe launched

A police constable, who was purportedly captured on camera training and firing an AK-47 rifle at students during a recent protest in Bihar’s Siwan district on July 25, has been suspended after the video went viral.

The Federal has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.

Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has also filed a PIL in the Supreme Court in connection with the incident.

Multiple rounds fired, say sources

“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,” Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha told PTI.

Jha clarified that no one was injured in the firing.

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Protesters, however, have accused the police of firing at them, leaving three people injured. The condition of the injured persons is said to be stable.

An India Today report quoting sources also said at least four to five rounds were fired during the protest.

A video shared by the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly also shows police firing at protesters, indicating that the viral incident of firing was not the only instance where police used guns to disperse agitators.

The injured include 15-year-old Mohammad Arif, who works at a local shop. His family alleges that he was returning home after closing the shop when he was caught up in the melee of the protest. It was then that he was struck in the neck by a bullet. Doctors have removed the bullet and Arif’s condition is stated to be stable now.

Inquiry launched into AK-47 incident

In the viral video, the police constable Abhishek Patel, wearing a blue helmet and bulletproof vest and armed with an AK-47, is seen running towards the protesters and firing what sounds like a single round.

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.

Deadly clash

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.

Also read: From JP to CJP: How Delhi remains the epicentre of India’s power-shifting protests

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

Tejashwi slams CM

Tejashwi, who has accused the police of opening fire on students during the Bihar Bandh protest in Siwan, also blamed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident.

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"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.

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