Police firing AK-47 on students in India, video creates stir

A video of AK-47 rifles being fired at protesting students in Siwan district during the Bihar bandh or strike on July 25 went viral on social media. A Bihar policeman has been suspended due to this incident.

The strike called across the country saw massive protests by student organizations in various districts. Clashes were reported between protesters and police at several places at that time.

According to official information, the Bihar Police Headquarters took the viral video footage very seriously. In the footage, a police constable is seen firing from an AK-47 during the protest. After that, he was immediately ordered to be dismissed.

Meanwhile, the condition of the three injured protesters undergoing treatment at Patna's Jayaprava Medanta Hospital is now said to be stable. Among the injured is 15-year-old Md. Arif. According to the family, Arif works in a local shop. His relatives said that he was returning home after closing the shop during the strike when he got into a scuffle and was shot in the neck. Doctors were able to successfully remove the bullet after performing surgery and his condition is now out of danger.

Bihar's opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has demanded strict action against the guilty officials. He posted a video of the incident, in which a policeman can be seen firing at the students.

Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has also raised the issue. Pointing to the use of pellet guns against protesting students in Delhi and AK-47s in Bihar, he said that the same pattern is seen everywhere.

Police officials said that maintaining law and order is the primary duty of the force and any violation of established norms is viewed with utmost seriousness. They also said that a detailed departmental inquiry has been initiated into the incident and further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. The investigation will determine whether the use of firearms was in accordance with police protocol and whether any further disciplinary or legal action is warranted.

As part of a statewide strike, a large number of students gathered in the city that day and marched towards Gandhi Maidan. The situation deteriorated when a scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police while the students were chanting slogans.

Source: NDTV