Patna: After suspending a police constable over the firing of an AK-47 rifle during the July 25 Bihar Bandh protests, the Siwan Police have issued an official statement asserting that the weapon was fired into the air to disperse a mob and protect lives as well as government property.
According to the statement, Constable Abhishek Kumar (Constable No. 47), who was deployed near J.P. Chowk in Siwan city during the student-led protest, fired four rounds into the air after police personnel were allegedly surrounded by bandh supporters.
“On July 25, 2026, near J.P. Chowk in Siwan city, Constable No. 47 Abhishek Kumar fired four rounds into the air to protect lives and government property after being surrounded by supporters of the bandh. There are no reports of anyone in the crowd sustaining injuries during this incident,” the police statement said.
The police further confirmed that Constable Abhishek Kumar has been placed under suspension through Siwan District Order No. 1144/26, and departmental disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him.
Addressing the injuries reported during the protests, the police stated that the three injured persons were found at locations separate from the site where the constable allegedly fired his weapon.
According to the statement, Md Arif (17) and Akash Kumar (22) sustained injuries near Hafiz Chowk, approximately 1.5 km from J.P. Chowk and Bullet Kumar Gaur (20) was found injured near the Traffic Police Station, around 2 km from J.P. Chowk.
Police said that, according to doctors, all three injured individuals are out of danger.
After receiving initial treatment at Siwan Sadar Hospital, they were referred to Medanta Hospital, Patna.
Md Arif has since been discharged, while the remaining injured continue to receive treatment.
Authorities also confirmed that three separate FIRs have been registered based on the statements of the injured persons.
The controversy surrounding the AK-47 firing began after Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav raised the issue on July 25, criticising the Bihar government and demanding that it clarify the circumstances under which the weapon was used and identify who authorised the firing.
The issue later drew national attention after the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also criticised the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Bihar.
In a post on his official X account, Rahul Gandhi alleged that students protesting over examination-related issues had been subjected to excessive force.
“The entire system is downright murderous against students. News is coming that AK-47 bullets have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds of students have been arrested with FIRs filed against them. 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 further wrote, “In Delhi, pellet guns were fired at students, and in Bihar, AK-47s. Whether it is Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or Delhi, the pattern is the same everywhere. Apologise to the country’s students and take action against those who attacked them—not against the students themselves.”
(IANS)
