AK-47 fired in air during Bihar NEET protests, police tell Supreme Court
The Bihar Police-affidavit to the Supreme Court says a constable fired four rounds from an AK-47 into the air during NEET protest clashes in Siwan; no AK-47 injuries were reported, while three protesters sustained minor injuries from a 9-mm pistol. The state contends restraint was exercised amid pro
Key takeaways
- A constable fired four rounds from an AK-47 into the air during Siwan protests linked to NEET paper irregularities.
- No injuries were caused by the AK-47 rounds; three protesters had minor injuries from a 9-mm pistol.
- Ballistic tests are ongoing to confirm weapon details, distance, and angle of fire.
- The state asserts restraint and that protesters without criminal antecedents faced no coercive measures.
- CCTV and digital evidence have been preserved; disciplinary action has been taken against the involved constable.
What Happened
The Bihar Police submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court stating that a police constable trapped in the crowd during protests over NEET exam irregularities in Siwan fired four rounds from an AK-47 into the air. The affidavit asserts that no one was injured by the AK-47 bullets. It also notes that another officer fired a 9-mm pistol to disperse the mob. The police say three protesters suffered minor firearm injuries, not attributed to the AK-47, and that the injured received "best possible treatment." Ballistic examination is being conducted to determine weapon type, distance, and angle of fire. The state says it issued detailed handling instructions for AK-47s on August 1 to prevent such incidents and claims restraint in handling protesters who lack criminal antecedents.
The affidavit accompanies claims that protesters damaged public property and that officials were attacked by anti-social elements during the unrest. CCTV footage and other electronic evidence have been preserved, and steps were taken to protect protesters’ personal data from public disclosure for the time being. The state says it has begun disciplinary actions, including suspending the constable involved and initiating departmental proceedings, while ensuring no coercive action against students without criminal antecedents.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between student protesters and state authorities amid allegations of examination irregularities and NEET paper leak debates. The government’s affidavit frames the event as contained, stressing restraint and ongoing investigations into weapon use, which could influence how similar protests are policed and how CCTV evidence is treated in court proceedings. The Supreme Court is assessing these developments in light of the affidavit and prior court directions on CCTV preservation and the treatment of minors and those without criminal antecedents.
Background
The protests in Siwan began after allegations of NEET paper irregularities and a supposed paper leak. Clashes on July 25 involved police action including tear gas and baton charges, with reports of AK-47 use during the confrontation. The Supreme Court had earlier directed preservation of CCTV footage and urged the withdrawal of cases against minors and those without criminal antecedents; the court is now reviewing the Bihar government’s affidavit in this context.
Key Facts
- A constable fired four rounds from an AK-47 into the air during protests in Siwan, Bihar.
- No injuries were reported from AK-47 fire; three protesters sustained minor injuries from a 9-mm pistol near the incident.
- Ballistic examination is underway to determine weapon type, firing distance, and angle.
- The AK-47 is described by police as a platoon-level weapon used in special operations and not in routine law-and-order duties.
- The state claims it operated with restraint and did not use disproportionate force against protesters lacking criminal antecedents.
- Public property was damaged, and some officials were attacked by anti-social elements during the unrest.
- Instructions on AK-47 use were issued on August 1 by the Director General of Police; evidence including CCTV has been preserved.
- Disciplinary action was taken against the constable, including suspension and departmental proceedings; minors and those without criminal antecedents are being protected per court directions.
- The court case concerns NEET-related protests and the handling of protests in Siwan, with CCTV footage preservation a central issue.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court is reviewing the Bihar government’s affidavit in light of prior directives to preserve CCTV footage and the ongoing investigation into weapon use and firing specifics. A formal inquiry into the weapon type, firing distance, and angle is anticipated to inform any further court action or policy guidance on crowd control and the use of automatic or assault weapons by police in protests.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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