Bihar Government Withdraws Cases Against Student Protesters After Police Crackdown

The Bihar government on Monday announced it will not take any punitive legal action against individuals involved in the July 25 student protests across the state. This decision comes two days after a police crackdown that led to the detention of several hundred people and injuries to three individuals in police firing.

According to a statement from Chhatranil Singh, Special Secretary (Home) of Bihar, the government will withdraw all First Information Reports (FIRs) and release all those arrested or detained in connection with the protests that occurred before 6 pm on July 26. The statement attributed the agitation to "the demand for reform and accountability within the examination system and higher education sector."

Earlier on Monday, police suspended a constable for using an AK-47 rifle to control protesters in Siwan district. This action followed the circulation of videos on social media showing the constable firing the weapon, which drew widespread outrage. Police clarified that the constable had fired in the air after police personnel were surrounded by protesters, and that no one was injured in the incident. However, the constable was suspended for using the weapon "without orders," according to Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar.

Regarding the three individuals injured during the Siwan protests—Bullet Kumar Gond (20), a 17-year-old, and Akash Kumar (22)—the DGP said the police are investigating how they sustained gunshot wounds. While police initially suggested that the injuries could have been caused by a 9 mm pistol rather than an AK-47, the DGP stated, "We cannot completely rule out that they were injured in police firing." The families of the injured denied that they were part of the violence or the protests.

Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Puran Kumar Jha confirmed that four rounds were fired from long-range weapons and three rounds from pistols by police. He noted that there were "clear instructions to police not to open fire." Additionally, separate FIRs have been registered based on the statements of the three injured individuals.

The government's decision to de-escalate the situation follows criticism from opposition parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others condemned the use of an AK-47 against student protesters, with Gandhi posting on X: "Pellet guns were used against students in Delhi, and AK-47s in Bihar… the pattern is the same everywhere." The Cockroach Janta Party, which led protests at Jantar Mantar, also expressed concern, stating that the police action was contrary to the Centre's assurance of no punitive action against protesters.

Political analysts suggest that the Bihar government's climbdown is aimed at reducing tensions ahead of potential political fallout, as the BJP-led government seeks to avoid the row over police force use snowballing into a larger issue.