Police suspend officer after viral video shows rifle being fired during NEET protest as opposition questions use of force against students
A Bihar police officer has been suspended after a viral video showed him firing an AK-47 during a NEET paper leak protest in Siwan. The suspension comes amid growing scrutiny over police action against student protesters in several states, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and questioning the use of force.
New Delhi: A Bihar Police officer has been suspended after a viral video purportedly showed him firing an AK-47 rifle during student protests over the NEET paper leak issue in Siwan district. The suspension was confirmed by Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha on Monday.
The incident occurred during protests held on Saturday as part of a statewide bandh over the NEET examination controversy. The demonstration witnessed clashes between protesters and police, prompting law enforcement to use crowd-control measures, including lathi-charge and tear gas, to disperse the gathering.
According to reports, the officer has been identified as Abhishek Patel. Authorities have suspended him pending further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the firing.
Bihar Police Suspend Officer After Viral AK-47 Video
The suspension follows the circulation of a widely shared video on social media that appears to show the police officer discharging an AK-47 rifle during the protest.
The video attracted significant attention online, leading to questions over the use of firearms during crowd-control operations.
While confirming the suspension, Bihar Police did not immediately disclose further details regarding the departmental inquiry or the findings of the preliminary investigation.
NEET Protest in Bihar Turns Violent
The Siwan protest was part of a larger statewide agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.
Reports indicated that confrontations broke out between demonstrators and police personnel, following which authorities resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas shelling to restore order.
Similar protests were also reported in Patna during the Bihar Bandh called by opposition parties and several organisations demanding accountability over the paper leak controversy and police action against students.
Police Action During Student Protests Draws Political Attention
The latest development comes amid continuing debate over the use of force during recent student demonstrations in different parts of the country.
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inquiry into the July 20 protest in Delhi found that personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired seven rounds from a pellet gun, with five pellets reportedly striking protesters.
Following the Delhi protest, several individuals, including a 19-year-old Delhi University student, a 25-year-old protester, and a journalist, reported serious injuries. Videos circulating on social media also showed police using force during attempts to disperse protesters.
Rahul Gandhi Criticises Government Over Police Action
Reacting to the developments, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the Central Government and questioned the handling of student protests.
"The entire system is downright murderous against students. News is coming in that AK-47 bullets have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds of students have been arrested with FIRs being filed against them," Rahul Gandhi said in a social media post.
He further alleged that students had faced excessive police action in multiple states and questioned assurances regarding the withdrawal of cases against protesters.
The Bihar Police have not stated whether any protesters sustained injuries due to the rifle firing. The departmental inquiry into the incident is continuing.
