- Siwan police officer suspended for AK-47 firing at student protesters.
- Viral video showed officer using rifle during Bihar Bandh.
- Incident occurred July 25 amidst NEET protest in Siwan.
Jagran Correspondent, Siwan: A police officer has been suspended with immediate effect after a viral video showed him using an AK-47 rifle against students who were protesting while demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy in the Siwan district during 'Bihar Bandh' on July 25.
Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha stated that constable Abhishek Kumar Patel has been suspended on the instructions of headquarters. He added that a departmental inquiry will also be conducted into the matter, and further action will be taken based on the investigation report. Following the action, there has been a stir within the police department with some police officers expressing displeasure over the decision.
Leader of Opposition in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav shared the video on his X handle, demanding action against guilty officials.
सिवान में छात्र प्रदर्शन के दौरान पुलिस ने छात्रों पर सीधी फायरिंग की। AK-47 से भी फायरिंग की गई।
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 25, 2026
जब 7 हत्याओं का आरोपी अपराधी मुख्यमंत्री बन जाए तब लोकतंत्र में प्रदर्शन कर रहे निर्दोष छात्रों पर पुलिस ऐसे ही गोलियां चलाती है। दोषी अधिकारियों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई हो। #Bihar pic.twitter.com/RB2Ftc1xeS
Police Resorted To Aerial Firing To Control Crowd
During the Bihar bandh on Saturday, when law and order deteriorated, the police had to resort to aerial firing to control the crowd. Police officials have described the entire incident in FIRs filed at the City Police Station and the Mufussil Police Station.
According to the police, protesters caused widespread disturbance at JP Chowk and surrounding areas. Police were attacked amid stone-pelting and vandalism. To control the situation, police initially fired tear gas, but when the crowd refused to comply, they resorted to firing in the air.
In the FIR lodged by Prashant Kumar, Sub-Inspector of Police posted at the city police station, its is stated that he was deployed at JP Chowk to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, a large number of protesters arrived at the square, shouting slogans and vandalising the area. According to police, several policemen were injured in the attack.
The situation grew increasingly tense and police fired tear gas to control the crowd, but the protesters remained undeterred and continued to pelt stones and vandalise the area.
In view of the possibility of serious harm to police officers and personnel, it was decided to disperse the crowd. Subsequently, constable Abhishek Kumar fired four rounds in the air in a controlled manner. According to the police, after the firing, the crowd slowly began to retreat and the situation was brought under control.
FIR Mentions Firing From Both Sides
ASI Nilesh Kumar Singh posted at Mufassil police station stated in his FIR that on the instructions of the senior officer, he had reached JP Chowk with the police force. On reaching JP Chowk, around five hundred miscreants were moving towards Thana Gali from the direction of Hospital Mor, pelting stones and firing.
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Police feared the mob might damage the police station and nearby commercial establishments. A police officer said that when he and other police officers and soldiers arrived near the vegetable market in front of the police station, the mob began pelting stones at the police from the mosque and surrounding streets.
As per the FIR, some people in the mob were firing at the police force from a distance of about 20 to 25 feet. According to the police, when the firing did not stop despite repeated warnings, Assistant Sub-Inspector Nilesh Kumar Singh, in self-defense and to protect life and property, fired two controlled rounds into the air from his service pistol. After this, the crowd began to retreat.