A viral video of a Bihar policeman firing an AK-47 rifle during protests in Siwan has triggered a political storm in Parliament, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and action against those who ‘attacked’ students. The policeman, identified as Abhishek Kumar, attached to the District Intelligence Unit, has been suspended and a departmental inquiry ordered, according to Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha.
At least three protesters sustained gunshot injuries and were admitted to a private hospital in Patna, where their condition is stated to be stable. One of them was discharged on July 27. In a post in Hindi on X, Mr. Gandhi said ‘the entire system is downright murderous against students.’ He also questioned the government’s promise that no FIRs would be filed against students and that they would be released, citing the use of pellet guns against students in Delhi and AK-47s in Bihar.
Several Congress leaders condemned the reported use of force, with Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal demanding an explanation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on who had ordered the use of AK-47s in Bihar and pellet guns in Delhi. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the deployment of such weapons against protesters, saying ‘The students are not terrorists.’ Congress MP Manish Tewari termed the reported action against unarmed students ‘barbaric, inhuman, and an atrocity’ and said the use of excessive force violated established procedures for handling protests.
The video of the policeman firing the AK-47 has circulated widely on social media since July 26. Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded action against the officials responsible and warned that if the arrested students and his brother were not released within 24 hours, the party would launch a massive statewide agitation. According to a police statement, the officer fired four rounds in the air near J.P. Chowk to protect government property and lives, and no one was injured in that firing. The three injured protesters sustained gunshot wounds at locations away from J.P. Chowk and were shifted from Siwan Sadar Hospital to a private hospital in Patna after initial treatment. Police have also registered an FIR against the three.
Police said 694 people were detained during the July 25 protests, including 339 minors who were later released after verification. Ninety-one policemen and 13 civilians were injured, while 14 police vehicles were damaged. Two Block Development Officers sustained grievous injuries, the police said. The violence erupted during a Bihar bandh called by the All India Students Association. Police said protesters pelted stones at security personnel in Siwan before the armed officer opened fire. Demonstrations were reported across Bihar, including in Patna, where police vehicles were vandalised and several protesters were detained.
