This article provides additional details about the incident involving a constable who fired an AK-47 in Siwan, Bihar during protests against alleged exam irregularities. It also covers injuries sustained by protesters and police personnel, arrests made, and the release of student protesters.
According to an affidavit filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of Bihar in the Supreme Court, a constable fired four shots from an AK-47 rifle into the air during protests against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations on July 25 in Siwan. The incident occurred after the constable was 'trapped' in the crowd, as reported by Live Law on Monday.
In a separate report by The Indian Express, it was mentioned that three protesters were injured during police firing in Siwan district on July 25. These injuries occurred when the demonstrators allegedly threw stones at security personnel.
Live Law also reported that the three injured protesters had sustained minor injuries after an assistant sub-inspector fired a 9-mm pistol. They were not present at the spot where the AK-47 was fired.
The state government stated in its affidavit that the director general of police has since issued instructions about the use of the rifle, noting that it is a ‘platoon-level weapon used in special operations’ and not for ‘law-and-order situations’. The constable who fired the AK-47 has also been suspended.
Further, the affidavit claimed that the protests against alleged exam irregularities in Bihar had turned violent in Jehanabad, Patna, Chapra, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Aurangabad, Katihar, Kishanganj and Siwan. In Siwan, at around noon on July 25, an unruly mob vandalised public property and threw stones at the police.
This resulted in 20 police personnel, including the superintendent of police, getting injured, claimed the state government. Others who were injured are two sub-divisional police officers, two inspectors, two sub-inspectors and 13 constables. Two police vehicles and several traffic trollies were also damaged.
Between July 22 and July 25, the police registered 69 first information reports and arrested 500 persons, according to the affidavit. As per directions from the Supreme Court, 222 student protesters with no criminal record were released on bail. Another 75 persons below the age of 18 were released by the Juvenile Justice Board, reported Live Law.
The government further stated that the Bihar Police was not taking any coercive action against protesters with no criminal record.
Source:
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