This report provides additional details about the incident where a constable fired an AK-47 during protests against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations in Siwan, Bihar. It also discusses the injuries sustained by protesters and police personnel, the suspension of the constable, and the directions given by the Supreme Court.
According to Live Law's report on Monday, the Bihar government informed the Supreme Court that a constable discharged four shots from an AK-47 rifle into the air after being 'trapped' in a crowd protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations on July 25 in Siwan. The BJP-led government stated in an affidavit filed on August 11 that no one was injured by the bullets fired from the AK-47.
The protests were held in solidarity with the youth agitation in Delhi to demand the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union education minister at the time. It is worth noting that Pradhan resigned on July 25.
In addition to the incident in Siwan, the affidavit stated that protests against alleged exam irregularities 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 allegedly vandalized public property and threw stones at the police, resulting in injuries to 20 police personnel, including the superintendent of police. Two sub-divisional police officers, two inspectors, two sub-inspectors, and 13 constables were also injured, as well as two police vehicles and several traffic trollies.
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, while another 75 persons below the age of 18 were released by the Juvenile Justice Board.
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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