The Bihar Police Headquarters has ordered the immediate suspension of a constable after footage went viral showing him discharging an AK-47 assault rifle during student-led demonstrations in Siwan district.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 25 July, during the statewide ‘Bihar Bandh’—a general strike called by student bodies, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), over alleged irregularities in national competitive examinations and previous police crackdowns on demonstrators.

The confrontation escalated rapidly near major thoroughfares in Siwan, where demonstrators gathered to block traffic, pelt stones, and demand accountability from education authorities. Security forces deployed water cannons, teargas, and batons in response. However, video footage captured on mobile devices showed a police constable attached to the District Intelligence Unit (DIU) pointing an assault rifle directly towards the crowd and firing multiple rounds.

At least three individuals sustained bullet-related injuries during the chaos in Siwan, including a 15-year-old local shop worker, Md Arif, who was struck in the neck while returning home. The injured were transferred to Jayprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna, where medical staff confirmed their condition was stable following surgical intervention.

Confirming the disciplinary action, Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha stated that departmental proceedings had been initiated against the officer.

“The constable, posted with the District Intelligence Unit, has been suspended with immediate effect after a video purportedly showing him using an AK-47 rifle during a student protest went viral,” SP Jha said, adding that strict standing instructions explicitly prohibited officers from opening live fire during civilian demonstrations.