A Bihar Police constable has been suspended after a viral video allegedly showed him firing an AK-47 rifle during student protests in Siwan on July 25, prompting the Bihar Police Headquarters to order a departmental inquiry into whether the weapon was used in accordance with official protocols.
The incident occurred during the statewide Bihar Bandh, organised amid ongoing protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and related demands for accountability. Police officials have maintained that the constable fired into the air while attempting to disperse an increasingly violent crowd and that no one was injured by the AK-47 rounds.
However, the footage has triggered widespread public criticism and political outrage over the use of an assault rifle during civilian crowd-control operations. Three protesters sustained bullet injuries during clashes reported across Bihar, including a 15-year-old boy who underwent surgery after being shot in the neck and is now said to be stable.
Opposition leaders have demanded strict action against those responsible and questioned the chain of command that allowed such a weapon to be used, while senior police officials have acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and initiated an inquiry to establish whether departmental procedures were followed.
Questions Over Police Response
The controversy erupted after videos from Siwan circulated widely on social media platforms, showing a police constable in riot gear carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 rifle and firing multiple rounds during efforts to disperse protesters.
The footage quickly drew attention from citizens, activists and political leaders, leading the Bihar Police Headquarters to suspend the constable pending a departmental investigation.
Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha confirmed that disciplinary action was taken soon after senior officials verified the incident, while Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nilesh Kumar said the weapon had been issued because the constable belonged to the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), a specialised unit typically deployed in operations involving organised crime and high-risk situations rather than crowd management.
Kumar reportedly stated that the use of such a firearm during a student protest “cannot be justified” and said the inquiry would determine whether the firearm was deployed without authorisation, whether standard operating procedures governing crowd control were violated, and whether supervising officers also bear responsibility.
Police have reiterated that the AK-47 was fired into the air and that none of the injuries sustained during the protests have been linked to those specific shots. Nevertheless, the visuals have reignited debate about proportional use of force and whether the deployment of military-grade firearms has any place in policing civilian demonstrations.
Protests Escalate Across Bihar
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of the Bihar Bandh, during which students, youth organisations and opposition-backed groups staged demonstrations across several districts over the alleged NEET examination paper leak, concerns about recruitment irregularities, and what they describe as excessive police action against protesters.
Demonstrations in Siwan, Patna, Chapra and other parts of the state saw roads and railway tracks blocked, public transport disrupted, and repeated confrontations between protesters and security personnel. Police responded with barricades, baton charges, tear gas and detentions as violence escalated in some locations.
According to officials and hospital authorities, three protesters sustained bullet injuries during the unrest. Among them was 15-year-old Md Arif, who was reportedly struck in the neck while returning home after closing the shop where he worked.
He underwent emergency surgery and has since been reported to be in stable condition, while the remaining injured protesters are also recovering. The incident has since become a political flashpoint, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticising what he described as excessive force against students and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raising the matter in Parliament.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav questioned who authorised the deployment of an AK-47 during a civilian protest and demanded accountability beyond the suspension of a single constable.
Meanwhile, legal experts and policing specialists have noted that assault rifles such as the AK-47 are generally reserved for counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations rather than crowd-control duties, making the outcome of the departmental inquiry particularly significant for future policing standards.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The suspension of the constable and the prompt inquiry indicate that Bihar Police has recognised the seriousness of the incident. However, accountability cannot stop at disciplinary action against one individual if broader operational lapses are found. Democratic societies depend on both the right to peaceful protest and the responsibility of law enforcement to maintain public order through proportionate and lawful means.
Equally, violence from any quarter only deepens mistrust and moves attention away from the underlying concerns that bring citizens onto the streets. A transparent investigation that establishes the complete sequence of events, identifies responsibility at every level, and reassures the public that policing standards are being upheld will be essential to restoring confidence.
