Patna: Police headquarters on Monday suspended Abhishek Kumar, a police constable and bodyguard of Siwan SP Puran Jha, with immediate effect after a viral video purportedly showed him firing an AK-47 assault rifle during the Bihar bandh on July 25.The bandh, called to protest the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, witnessed widespread unrest across Bihar. Clashes, stone-pelting and lathicharge were reported from 11 districts, with the worst violence reported from Siwan, where three students sustained gunshot injuries, police officials said.The injured were identified as Md Arif (17), Akash Kumar (22) and Bullet Kumar Gaur (20). Two suffered graze wounds on the neck, while one sustained a bullet injury on the thigh. All were shifted to a hospital in Patna after receiving first aid at Siwan Sadar Hospital. Doctors said they are out of danger, while Arif has since been discharged.According to police, some protesters climbed onto a stage at Gandhi Maidan and began pelting stones at security personnel. Police first used tear gas and later resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd. During the violence, Siwan SP sustained an injury in his hand. It was during this period that the SP’s bodyguard allegedly opened fire with an AK-47.In a statement, Bihar Police headquarters said bandh supporters had surrounded police personnel at JP Chowk in Siwan.“To protect life and govt property, constable Abhishek Kumar fired four rounds in the air. No one from the crowd was injured in that firing. However, he has been suspended pending inquiry,” the statement said.Police said three persons were later found with gunshot injuries in connection with the violence. Based on their statements, three separate FIRs (Case Nos. 721, 722 and 723) have been registered at Siwan Nagar police station, and the matter is under investigation.ADG (Law and Order) K Suhita Anupam said the Bihar Police had exercised “maximum restraint” while dealing with the protesters and used minimum force only after the gathering allegedly turned into an unlawful assembly.“Taking note of the Siwan firing incident, police headquarters sought a detailed report. After preliminary verification of the viral video, constable Abhishek Kumar was suspended with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated. Further action will be taken on the basis of the inquiry report,” she said.Police said raids were underway to identify and arrest others allegedly involved in the violence and stone-pelting during the bandh.
