Bihar Policeman Suspended for Firing AK-47 Amid NEET Protests

Bihar Policeman Suspended for Firing AK-47 Amid NEET Protests | Quick Digest
A police constable in Bihar's Siwan district was suspended for firing an AK-47 rifle during student protests against the NEET paper leak. The incident, captured on viral video, occurred on July 25, 2026, and has triggered widespread political condemnation and a departmental inquiry. Officials stated the firing was unauthorized and into the air.

Key Highlights

  • Bihar policeman suspended for firing AK-47 at student protesters.
  • Incident occurred in Siwan during NEET exam paper leak protests on July 25, 2026.
  • Siwan DM confirmed constable fired AK-47 into the air without orders.
  • Widespread condemnation from opposition leaders; BJP alleges 'manufactured protest'.
  • Three individuals sustained bullet injuries in general protest, but police deny AK-47 direct harm.
  • Ongoing departmental inquiry against the suspended constable, Abhishek Kumar.
An Indian police constable in Bihar's Siwan district has been suspended following a viral video showing him firing an AK-47 assault rifle during student protests on July 25, 2026. The incident, which occurred amidst a statewide 'Bihar Bandh' called against alleged irregularities in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination paper leak and police action on protesters, has drawn significant national attention and strong political reactions. The constable, identified as Abhishek Kumar, was part of a District Intelligence Unit (DIU) team in Siwan when they reportedly got caught in a crowd of protesters near JP Chowk. Siwan District Magistrate Vivek Ranjan Maitrey and Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha confirmed his immediate suspension and the initiation of departmental proceedings against him. Officials clarified that the constable fired four rounds into the air and that the action was unauthorized and inappropriate, with no orders to open fire. A senior Bihar police official, Nilesh Kumar, told Reuters that the AK-47 was 'used by the constable wrongly. It cannot be justified in any way.' The video, widely circulated on social media, depicted the policeman in riot gear running towards protesters and firing the assault rifle. While initial reports and some media outlets, like NDTV and Inshorts, suggested that students sustained bullet injuries directly from the AK-47, Bihar Police released a statement clarifying that 'no one has been harmed by an AK-47 in this instance.' They stated that three individuals — Md Arif (17), Akash Kumar (22), and Bullet Kumar Gaur (20) — did sustain bullet injuries but were found at locations 1.5 to 2 km away from where Constable Abhishek Kumar fired the AK-47. These injured individuals were declared out of danger and have been shifted to Medanta Hospital in Patna after initial treatment in Siwan. Investigations are underway to determine the source of these other bullet injuries. The protests in Bihar were part of a broader wave of youth agitation across India concerning the alleged NEET paper leak in May, which led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The student movement also highlighted wider concerns such as youth unemployment and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future job prospects. The incident has ignited a fierce political debate. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, strongly condemned the alleged use of an AK-47 against students, stating on X that the 'entire system is downright murderous against students' and demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He drew parallels with the use of pellet guns against protesters in Delhi, alleging a pattern of 'extreme force' by the government. Bihar Assembly Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also accused the police of firing AK-47s on students and blamed Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary for the incident. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to 'manufacture a protest' and spread 'canards and falsity', demanding his apology for what they described as 'deeply unfortunate' and irresponsible remarks. Sambit Patra, BJP national spokesperson, questioned how Gandhi could claim AK-47s were used in such a manner, asserting that police in India have never used them similarly. Meanwhile, NDA ally and LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary termed the use of the AK-47 as 'wrong', while another LJP MP, Arun Bharti, defended the use of weapons if 'criminals get inside these student protests' to ensure student safety. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court by Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha in connection with the incident, seeking further accountability. The incident underscores growing concerns over police conduct and the use of force during public demonstrations in India, with experts and opposition leaders emphasizing the need for adherence to established protocols for crowd control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in Siwan, Bihar?

A police constable, Abhishek Kumar, was suspended for firing an AK-47 assault rifle during student protests in Siwan, Bihar, on July 25, 2026. The incident was captured on video and went viral, leading to his immediate suspension and a departmental inquiry.

Why were students protesting in Bihar?

Students were protesting against alleged irregularities and a paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination. The protests were part of a statewide 'Bihar Bandh' and also highlighted broader concerns about youth unemployment and transparency in public examinations.

Was anyone injured by the AK-47 firing?

While police officials stated that the constable fired four rounds into the air and that no one was directly harmed by his AK-47 in that specific instance, three individuals were reported to have sustained bullet injuries at other locations during the broader protests. The source of these other injuries is under investigation.

What action has been taken against the policeman?

Constable Abhishek Kumar was suspended immediately after the video went viral. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against him to investigate the unauthorized use of the AK-47 rifle during the protest.

What has been the political reaction to this incident?

The incident sparked strong condemnation from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, who criticized the alleged excessive force used against students. The ruling BJP, however, accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading 'false' claims and attempting to 'manufacture a protest.'

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