Police constable suspended for firing AK-47 at students during Bihar protests

A Bihar Police constable has been suspended for firing an AK-47 rifle at students during the ‘Bihar Bandh’ programme held on July 25 to protest alleged irregularities in the question paper of India’s National Level Job Test (NEET). Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court. News from India Today.
A video of the firing has gone viral, in which constable Abhishek Patel, wearing a blue helmet and bulletproof vest, is seen running towards the protesters and firing at least one round from an AK-47. However, sources claim that a total of four to five rounds were fired, although only one round is captured in the video.
The video also shows the constable ordering his colleagues to come forward after firing. Then, a policeman picks up an object lying on the ground and throws it at the protesters.
The shutdown, called by student organizations across the state, led to massive protests in various districts. Protesters clashed with police at many places and stone pelting also took place at security forces. Police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannon to control the situation. Meanwhile, the Siwan Superintendent of Police said that after the viral video went viral, Constable Abhishek Patel, working in the district intelligence wing, was immediately suspended. Departmental action has also been initiated against him. However, despite reports in the media that three people were injured, the Superintendent of Police claimed that no one was injured in the police firing. He also said that the circumstances under which the constable fired from the AK-47 are under investigation. However, there were clear instructions not to fire under any circumstances during the protest.