Facebook Live Standoff Ends in Death: Bihar Police Encounter Under Scrutiny
In Bilauti village in Bihar's Ara, tension prevails as the family of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari demands a thorough inquiry into his killing in a police encounter on June 17. The encounter ended a two-day standoff that Tiwari had broadcast live on Facebook to his 1.6 lakh followers.
Police claim Tiwari was armed and mentally unsound, and that they shot him in self-defence after he fired at them. However, Tiwari’s family and some villagers allege he was shot after he had agreed to surrender. They cite a Facebook Live video that purportedly shows him throwing down his weapon.
Bhojpur Superintendent of Police Raj said an FIR has been registered, legal action initiated, and a judicial inquiry ordered. The post-mortem report is awaited. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also ordered an inquiry. Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari called it an “unfortunate incident” but suggested the police should have investigated his background first.
Tiwari, a BSc graduate and son of a retired police constable driver, was known locally for taking up issues like delays in flood relief. His family maintains he was killed because of his activism. The conflicting accounts have led to intense debate and political visits to the family home.
