Bihar tells SC AK-47 fired in air in Siwan, no one hurt

The Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that a police constable fired four rounds from his AK-47 into the air during student protests in Siwan on July 25 and that no one was injured by those bullets. The affidavit, filed in response to petitions alleging police brutality, says constable Abhishek Kumar fired the weapon after he became trapped in the crowd near JP Chowk.

Times Now reports the state said an assistant sub-inspector also fired two rounds from a 9-mm pistol at Hathi Chowk, causing “minor firearms injuries” to three protesters. The Hindustan Times notes the affidavit admits the AK-47 is a platoon-level weapon for special operations and not for law and order situations. The constable has been suspended and departmental proceedings initiated against him.

The Supreme Court, which had earlier directed the preservation of CCTV footage and the withdrawal of cases against minors and those without criminal records, is continuing to hear the petitions. The state government denies using disproportionate force and alleges anti-social elements attacked police during the protest over the NEET-UG paper leak.