Bihar Policeman Suspended Over AK-47 Firing During Student Protest
A police constable in Bihar has been suspended after a video circulating on social media appeared to show him firing an AK-47 during demonstrations connected to the statewide protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The incident occurred during the July 25 Bihar Bandh, when student groups staged protests across several districts demanding action over the examination controversy. Clashes broke out at multiple locations, prompting police intervention. Following the emergence of the video, Bihar Police Headquarters ordered the constable's immediate suspension and initiated a departmental inquiry into the incident.
15-Year-Old Among Those Injured
Three people injured during the Siwan violence are receiving treatment at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna and are reported to be in stable condition.
Among them is 15-year-old Md Arif, who, according to his family, was returning home after closing the shop where he worked when he sustained a bullet injury to the neck. Doctors later removed the bullet during surgery, and hospital officials have said his condition is now stable.
Departmental Inquiry Underway
Police officials said the suspension was ordered after the viral footage came to the attention of senior authorities.
Officials stated that maintaining law and order remains the police force's responsibility, but any possible violation of established operational procedures will be examined thoroughly. The inquiry will determine whether the firearm was used in accordance with official protocols and whether additional disciplinary or legal action is warranted.
Political Reactions Intensify
The incident has triggered strong political reactions.
Opposition leaders have demanded accountability, questioning the use of live firearms during protests involving students. Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court seeking legal action over the incident, while other opposition leaders have called for a transparent investigation into the police response.
Background: Protests Over NEET Controversy
The Bihar Bandh formed part of a broader wave of demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process. Student organisations have been demanding stronger safeguards for public examinations, action against those responsible for alleged paper leaks, and greater accountability from authorities.
Several protests across Bihar witnessed confrontations between demonstrators and police, with reports of lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons being used in some locations as security personnel attempted to disperse crowds.
Why This Incident Matters
The suspension of the constable has placed renewed attention on the use of force during public demonstrations. The incident has also intensified the wider debate surrounding the handling of student protests and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens' right to peaceful assembly.
As investigations continue, both the departmental inquiry and legal proceedings could influence future policing protocols during large-scale public protests.
Balanced Analysis
The suspension of the police constable indicates that authorities are treating the allegations seriously and have initiated formal disciplinary proceedings. However, the inquiry is still underway, and its findings will determine whether established protocols were violated.
Meanwhile, opposition parties argue that the incident reflects excessive use of force against students, while police maintain that officers were responding to a volatile law-and-order situation during widespread unrest. The outcome of the ongoing investigations is expected to shape both legal accountability and public confidence in the handling of similar protests in the future.
