New Delhi: A Bihar police officer seen firing an AK-47 during the July 25 Bihar Bandh against alleged NEET paper irregularities has been suspended, even as sources said multiple rounds may have been discharged. The video captured only one shot, but the incident has triggered a departmental probe.
The incident has now become a major political flashpoint. Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court over the matter, seeking accountability.
The officer, identified as Abhishek Patel, appears in the clip wearing a blue helmet and a bulletproof vest and charging toward protesting students. At least one shot is visible and audible in the footage before he appears to tell colleagues to follow him. Another policeman then moves forward, stoops down and seems to pick up something from the ground before throwing it toward the protesters, as reported by India Today.
Student Anger Spills Over
The statewide shutdown saw large demonstrations by student organisations across several districts, and the protests turned confrontational at a number of places. Police said stones were thrown at security personnel in some areas, while lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons were used to break up the gatherings and restore order. The bandh disrupted normal activity in parts of the state as students demanded action over the alleged exam irregularities.
The situation was especially tense in Patna, where numerous students gathered and marched towards Gandhi Maidan as part of the shutdown. The atmosphere worsened after an altercation broke out between the protesters and police, adding to the unrest reported from multiple districts.
Three Injured In Siwan
Three people injured in the firing in Siwan are being treated at Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna, where doctors have said their condition is stable. Among them is 15-year-old Md Arif, who works at a shop and, according to his family, was hit in the neck by a bullet while returning home after closing work during the shutdown. His family said doctors later removed the bullet surgically, and his condition is now stable, according to local media reports.
Political Fallout Grows
Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also called for action against those found guilty and shared video of the incident in which the officer can be seen firing at students.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also attacked the government over the episode and said the pattern was similar elsewhere, referring to pellet guns in Delhi and AK-47s in Bihar. “The entire system is downright murderous against students. Reports are coming in that AK-47s have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds have been arrested and booked under FIRs,” Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi.
“Modi ji, what happened to your promise that no FIRs would be filed against students and that they would be released? Instead, they are being subjected to deadly attacks and brutality,” he said.
Probe Underway
Police officials said keeping law and order is their main duty, and any lapse from established procedure will be viewed seriously. They said a detailed departmental inquiry has been launched, and further action will be decided once the findings are reviewed. The probe will examine whether the firearm was used in line with police protocol and whether disciplinary or legal steps are warranted.