AK-47 Fired During Bihar Bandh Protest: Siwan Jawan Suspended After Viral Video Sparks Probe

Siwan: A police constable deployed with the Special Investigation Team has been suspended after allegedly firing an AK-47 into the air during violent protests in Siwan as part of the ‘Bihar Bandh’ over the NEET paper leak. The action came after a video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting the Bihar Police Headquarters to order his immediate suspension.

The suspended constable has been identified as Abhishek Patel.
The violence erupted on Saturday after hundreds of students and protesters gathered at Gandhi Maidan in Siwan. As the demonstration intensified, protesters broke through police barricades and hurled stones at security personnel near Gandhi Maidan and JP Chowk, leading to widespread chaos.

During the clashes, Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha suffered a leg injury, while several police personnel and journalists covering the protest were also injured in the stone-pelting. Police first attempted to calm the protesters through negotiations, but as the situation spiralled out of control, they resorted to a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Amid the unrest, a video showing a police jawan firing an AK-47 into the air surfaced online and quickly went viral, triggering questions over the use of force. Acting on the footage, senior police officials launched a departmental inquiry.

Following a preliminary investigation, Abhishek Patel was identified as the jawan seen in the video and was suspended with immediate effect. Police officials said a detailed probe into the incident is in progress, adding that strict action will be taken against any other personnel found to have violated protocol during the operation.