Siwan Protest Firing
Bihar Police Suspend Constable After AK-47 Firing Amid NEET Protests; Injuries Reported
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Key Points
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Three people were injured by gunfire in related incidents and were hospitalised in Patna, with officials saying the wounds were not at the firing site and the patients' conditions were stable.
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Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Bihar government, demanding the detainees be released and FIRs withdrawn related to the protests.
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A Supreme Court judge expressed concern over shrinking space for public dissent and stressed that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are fundamental democratic rights.
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Deputy Inspector General Nilesh Kumar said: 'The AK-47 was used by the constable wrongly. It cannot be justified in any way.'
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Video purporting to show the firing circulated on social media, and officials cautioned that it has not yet been confirmed whether live ammunition was used; the matter is under departmental inquiry.
A police constable in Bihar's Siwan district has been suspended after a video went viral appearing to show him firing an AK-47 assault rifle into the air to break up a student protest, according to Al Jazeera. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from officials, opposition leaders, and a Supreme Court judge, raising urgent questions about police conduct during demonstrations.
Deputy Inspector General Nilesh Kumar said bluntly: 'The AK-47 was used by the constable wrongly. It cannot be justified in any way.' Authorities launched a departmental inquiry and stressed that no live ammunition has yet been confirmed, according to CTV News.
Viral Video Triggers Immediate Suspension of Constable
The constable, posted with the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), was suspended with immediate effect after the footage spread on social media, according to Kalimpong Online News. Officials cautioned that it has not yet been confirmed whether live rounds were fired. A departmental inquiry is now underway to determine whether proper protocols were followed.
Xpert Times reported that the incident occurred during Bihar student protests linked to the NEET exam paper leak scandal. The AK-47 is a military-grade assault rifle not typically used for crowd control. Its appearance at a protest site alarmed both officials and the public.
Three Injured, Opposition Gives Bihar Government 24-Hour Ultimatum
Three people were injured by gunfire in incidents related to the protests. All three were hospitalised in Patna, and officials said their conditions were stable. Authorities noted the wounds did not occur at the site of the AK-47 firing, though conflicting reports leave some details unclear, according to Al Jazeera.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Bihar government. He demanded the release of all detained protesters and the withdrawal of First Information Reports, known as FIRs, filed against them. The political pressure reflects growing anger over how authorities handled the demonstrations.
Supreme Court Warns of Shrinking Space for Public Dissent
A Supreme Court judge weighed in on the broader crackdown, expressing concern about the shrinking space for public dissent in India. The judge stressed that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are fundamental democratic rights. The comments added legal weight to criticism of how police responded to the student demonstrations.
Kalimpong Online News reported that the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) accused authorities in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar of targeting student protesters across multiple states. The group suspended its nationwide agitation in response to what it called a coordinated crackdown on young demonstrators.
NEET Scandal Fuels Wider Wave of Youth Protests Across India
The Siwan incident is one flashpoint in a much larger crisis. Student protests have swept India over the NEET medical entrance exam paper leak, youth unemployment, and fears about AI eliminating jobs. The unrest has already forced ministerial resignations at the national level, according to CTV News.
The Bihar constable's suspension signals that authorities are trying to show accountability. But critics argue that deploying an AK-47 against peaceful demonstrators — whatever the intent — crosses a clear line. The inquiry's findings will be closely watched as protests continue across the country.
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