The Bihar government, in its affidavit in the Supreme Court against PILs filed alleging police brutality and alleged use of AK47 by the cops against the student
protests in Siwan last month, said that one of the constables fired four rounds from his AK47 in the air after he got trapped in the crowd. The government said that no one was injured from AK47 bullets. The state government said this as it filed a counter affidavit before the Supreme Court denying the use of 'disproportionate force' to cause any harm to the protestors during the students' agitation. The Bihar government's affidavit further mentions that near Hathi Chowk, an ASI fired two rounds from his 9-mm pistol to disperse the mob and three protestors suffered "minor firearms injuries”. The affidavit also underlined that these three protestors were not injured by the AK47 rifle, nor were they present at the location where the rifle was used. The government added that a thorough examination is ongoing to find out the type of weapon, distance of fire, angle of fire, etc., used during the protest.
The affidavit also said that AK47 is a platoon-level weapon to be used in special operations and not law and order situations. It mentions that the state DGP has issued an instruction on the use of AK47.
The state alleged that the protestors caused damage to public properties and several police officials tackling the law and order situation were deliberately attacked by anti-social elements during the protest.
Bihar's Siwan witnessed clashes between student protesters and police personnel during protests on July 25 over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy. Police used tear gas shells and lathi charge to disperse the protesters following reports of stone-pelting. An AK-47 firing incident was also reported during the unrest.
With inputs from PTI
