The Bihar Police has defended a constable's use of an AK-47 during violent protests in Siwan, claiming he was 'trapped' by a mob. The state has now moved the Supreme Court to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- A Bihar Police constable fired 4 rounds from an AK-47 into the air during Siwan protests on July 25, 2026.
- The state claims the officer was 'trapped' by a violent crowd and acted under pressure.
- The officer has been suspended as AK-47s are reserved for special operations, not law and order duties.
- Ballistic tests are underway to determine if injuries to protesters were caused by the AK-47.
In a significant legal development, the Bihar Police has filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding a controversial incident where a constable from the District Intelligence Unit (DIU) used an AK-47 rifle during a public protest. The incident occurred on July 25 in Siwan, following a 'bandh' call that escalated into violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
According to the affidavit submitted by ADGP (Law and Order) K Suhita Anupam, the violence erupted when protesters from AISA and RYA began marching toward JP Chowk. The situation spiraled out of control as stone-pelting began, resulting in injuries to 20 police personnel, including the Superintendent of Police of Siwan and several other high-ranking officers. Two police vehicles and numerous traffic trollies were reportedly destroyed during the chaos.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a critical failure in crowd control protocols and the dangerous deployment of high-caliber weaponry in civilian areas. The use of a platoon-level weapon like the AK-47 in a law-and-order situation is a severe breach of standard operating procedures (SOPs), raising questions about the training and psychological readiness of personnel deployed during civil unrest.
The deployment of military-grade weaponry in urban protest zones represents a systemic failure in escalation management and poses a grave risk to public safety.
The police administration clarified that the constable fired four rounds into the air only after becoming surrounded by the mob. They further emphasized that while three protesters sustained firearm injuries, these were not caused by the AK-47. These injuries were allegedly caused by a separate incident involving a 9mm pistol fired by an Assistant Sub-Inspector at Hathi Chowk, approximately 2 kilometers away from the AK-47 incident.
The state has since suspended the constable for 'undesired conduct' and initiated departmental proceedings. The Director General of Police has issued fresh instructions reiterating that AK-47s are strictly for special operations and are not to be used for managing general law and order situations.
Historical Background
The use of automatic weapons by police forces in India has long been a subject of legal scrutiny. Typically, AK-47s are issued to specialized units for counter-insurgency or anti-Naxal operations. Their appearance in a district-level protest in Bihar is an anomaly that has prompted the judiciary to demand a detailed explanation regarding the chain of command and the authorization of such weapons on the streets.
| Weapon Used | Authorized Use Case | Incident Use Case | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 Rifle | Special Operations/Platoon level | Crowd Control (Siwan) | Suspension of Officer |
| 9mm Pistol | Self-defense/Law & Order | Dispersing Mob | 3 Minor Injuries |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Was anyone killed by the AK-47 firing in Siwan?
No, the Bihar Police stated that the four rounds from the AK-47 were fired into the air and no one was injured by that specific weapon.
Q2: What action has been taken against the police officer?
The constable has been placed under suspension and departmental proceedings have been initiated against him for undesired conduct.
