Cop suspended for firing AK-47 during student protest in Bihar

New Delhi: A police officer in Bihar, who was alleged to be firing an AK-47 at protesting students during the July 25 ‘Bihar Bandh’ agitation has reportedly been suspended. Reports say the suspended officer is an SIT team member Abhishek Patel, who was seen firing shots from an AK-47 during a protest in Bihar’s Siwan.

A Public Interest Litigation has also been filed before the Supreme Court by Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha in connection with the same incident.

Calls for action were ongoing

The suspension of the Siwan police officer came amid mounting political and legal pressure over the alleged use of excessive force during the July 25 ‘Bihar Bandh’ called by student organisations. The bandh saw clashes between protesters and police at several locations across Bihar, with videos purportedly showing the officer firing at least three rounds from an AK-47 rifle going viral on social media.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday intensified his attack on the Centre, linking the Bihar firing with the recent police action against students in Delhi. In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “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.”

Drawing a comparison between the two incidents, Gandhi added, “Pellet guns were used against students in Delhi, and AK-47s in Bihar. Whether it is Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or Delhi — the pattern is the same everywhere.” He also alleged that the government had failed to honour its assurances to students, saying, “I have said it before: this government is dishonest. Reform is beyond its capability. It will renege on its promises and use every tactic to suppress the students’ voices.” Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students and take action against those responsible for the alleged use of force.