Bihar government addresses AK-47 firing during NEET protests in Supreme Court

The Bihar government has submitted a counter affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding police conduct during student protests related to the NEET examination in Siwan. The state denied allegations of using disproportionate force, stating that a constable fired four AK-47 rounds into the air after being surrounded by a crowd at JP Chowk. The government clarified that the AK-47 is a platoon-level weapon intended for special operations rather than routine law enforcement, and confirmed that no one was injured by those specific shots.

However, the state acknowledged that an Assistant Sub-Inspector fired two rounds from a 9mm pistol near Hathi Chowk, resulting in minor firearm injuries to three protesters. The government also reported significant casualties among security forces, noting that 157 police officers and seven government employees were injured during the unrest.

In response to the incident, the constable involved has been suspended and faces departmental proceedings for “undesired conduct.” To date, authorities have registered 69 FIRs and arrested approximately 500 individuals, including 222 students who were later released on bail.