Bihar: Policeman fired for using AK-47 during protest

The policeman who was seen firing an AK-47 assault rifle in a video during a protest on Saturday in Bihar's Siwan dictrict was suspended, officials said.

The policeman's suspension comes after Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha told Indian newspaper The Indian Express on Sunday that eight shots were fired during the protests.

"छात्रों पर एके-47 से गोलियां चलाई जा रही हैं!! गजब है बिहार.. लाठी चलाकर आवाज दबाओ, जान मत लो भई!!"

बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री सम्राट चौधरी के पास ही गृह मंत्रालय भी है और एके-47 वाला ये दृश्य उनको जरूर देखना चाहिए..

वीडियो बिहार बंद के दौरान सीवान में हुए छात्रों के प्रदर्शन का… pic.twitter.com/IPl34XKIa1

— Vivek K. Tripathi (@meevkt) July 26, 2026

"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 Jha were injured after student protests turned violent in Siwan, but it has yet to be determined if this is connected to the use of the AK-47. 

The incident took place when a statewide shutdown (Bihar Bandh) was organized in solidarity with the nationwide protests over paper leaks.

Meanwhile, the police crackdown in connection with the Bihar Bandh protests continues. According to local media reports, more than 400 protesters have been arrested and sent to jail so far.

CJP asks government to "honour promises" amid police crackdown on protestors

Meanwhile, CJP issued a statement seeking guarantees from the government against reprisals.

One CJP's three main demands was a guarantee from the government that no punitive action would be taken against any protestor.

"The Cockroach Janta Party had called off its nationwide protest only after the Government of India assured us that no punitive action would be taken against any protestor, either now or in the future, in any BJP-ruled or NDA-ruled states," the CJP said in its statement.

However, reports of students and protesters being targeted, detained, or arrested by state agencies, particularly in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar have emerged since the protest was called of by the CJP.

The CJP has demanded the immediate release of students and other protesters allegedly detained in connection with the nationwide agitation. 

"We call upon the Government of India... to immediately honour the assurance given to us by ensuring the release of those detained and by directing that no coercive or retaliatory action is taken against any protestor anywhere in the country," the statement said.

STATEMENT

We are deeply concerned by multiple reports reaching us of students and other protestors being targeted, detained, or arrested by various state agencies, particularly in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar.

The Cockroach Janta Party had called off its nationwide protest…

— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 27, 2026

The CJP also demanded that all police investigations registered against protesters be withdrawn and reminded the government of its commitment to provide a written guarantee by July 28.