A policeman who was seen firing an AK-47 at student protesters in Bihar’s Siwan on July 25 during the Bihar Bandh protests was suspended.
The large-scale student demonstration by student organisations across several districts had led to a state-wide shutdown.
Protesters also clashed with police personnel at multiple locations.
According to police officials, the Bihar police headquarters took note of a viral clip that showed a police constable firing an AK-47 rifle during the protest. The person was subsequently suspended.
15-year old Md Arif was reportedly struck in the neck by a bullet during the unrest. His family said that the was returning home after closing the shop during the bandh when he was shot at. Doctors successfully removed the bullet during surgery, and his condition is now reported to be stable, NDTV reported.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the administration of being 'murderous' towards the students.
In a post on X, the Congress leader said that the government is using extreme force, including ‘AK-47s and pellet guns’, to suppress student voices across various states.
“The entire system is downright murderous against students. News is coming in that AK-47 bullets have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds of students have been arrested with FIRs being filed against them,” Gandhi said.
“Mr Modi, where did your promise go that no FIRs would be filed against students and they would be released? Instead, deadly attacks and brutality are being unleashed on them,” he asked.
Police officials said that a detailed departmental inquiry has been initiated and said that further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
On July 25, student organisations staged demonstrations across multiple districts in the state. The protests turned violent after the demonstrations clashed with the police. Stone-pelting was reported, and police vehicles were damaged in the protests.
There have also been multiple reports of police personnel using firearms and pellet guns against the students. According to Soma Kumari, a student activist, over 200 people were detained on July 25. "Around 70 per cent of them are minors. Police are not informing us about the next step," she said.
According to Patna SSP Katikeya K Sharmsa, 60 of the protesters, including minors and women, were released on personal bonds. The other detainees are being sent to judicial custody. A case has been registered against the accused at Gandhi Maidan police station. The SSP said that about 23 FIRs were registered across different police stations in different cases and that 67 people were arrested.
