‘Personnel were surrounded’: Cop seen firing AK47 suspended, Bihar police register FIRs

Violence erupted during statewide bandh called over alleged NEET paper leak and recent police action against student protesters

A policeman has been suspended after a video of him firing an AK-47 assault rifle in the air during Saturday’s protest in Bihar’s Siwan surfaced, officials said.

A senior police officer confirmed that an SIT officer had been suspended over Saturday’s firing. This comes after Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha told The Indian Express on Sunday that eight shots were fired during the protests.

“From the police’s side, four rounds were fired from long-range weapons and three rounds from pistols. In all, around eight to 10 rounds were fired. We are also investigating where the remaining firing came from,” Jha had said.

Three people reportedly sustained bullet injuries, and several police personnel, including Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Jha, were injured after a statewide bandh over the alleged NEET paper leak and recent police action against student protesters turned violent in Siwan on Saturday.

Jha had confirmed only one bullet injury — that of Bullet Kumar Gond, who suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during police firing. “It is not yet clear whether the bullets in all three cases were fired by the police or elsewhere,” Jha had said.

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More

A policeman has been suspended after a video of him firing an AK-47 assault rifle in the air during Saturday’s protest in Bihar’s Siwan surfaced, officials said.

A senior police officer confirmed that an SIT officer had been suspended over Saturday’s firing. This comes after Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha told The Indian Express on Sunday that eight shots were fired during the protests.

“From the police’s side, four rounds were fired from long-range weapons and three rounds from pistols. In all, around eight to 10 rounds were fired. We are also investigating where the remaining firing came from,” Jha had said.

Three people reportedly sustained bullet injuries, and several police personnel, including Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Jha, were injured after a statewide bandh over the alleged NEET paper leak and recent police action against student protesters turned violent in Siwan on Saturday.

Jha had confirmed only one bullet injury — that of Bullet Kumar Gond, who suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during police firing. “It is not yet clear whether the bullets in all three cases were fired by the police or elsewhere,” Jha had said.