Action Taken Against Bihar Cops Who Fired AK-47 During Student Protest
In Siwan, Bihar, the Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha confirmed on Monday that action has been taken against police personnel who were seen firing an AK-47 during a student protest on Saturday. The officers involved have been suspended, according to the SP.
The protest, which took place on Sunday, turned violent when demonstrators clashed with police. Students were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. Police responded with tear gas and lathicharge after reports of stone-pelting.
Similar unrest was reported in Patna during a statewide shutdown called by opposition parties and social organisations over the paper leak and police action against student agitators. Demonstrators allegedly vandalised and toppled police vehicles, leading to increased police presence across affected areas.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticised the government on Monday, accusing it of using excessive force against students. In a post on X, he claimed that AK-47s and pellet guns have been used to suppress student voices in multiple states. He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier assurances that no FIRs would be filed against students, alleging a nationwide pattern of crackdowns. Gandhi called for an apology and accountability for the security forces involved.
The Bihar Police have taken disciplinary action against the officers involved in the Siwan incident, but further details on the number of personnel suspended were not immediately available.
