Bihar Siwan Firing: Who Ordered the AK-47? How Many Were Shot? Key Questions Raise Fresh Concerns

The firing incident in Siwan, Bihar, during the recent student protests has become one of the biggest political flashpoints in the state. A viral video showing a police constable firing an AK-47 rifle during demonstrations has sparked widespread outrage and intensified demands for accountability. The incident occurred during protests linked to the ongoing agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, when demonstrators clashed with police. The visuals have led to several unanswered questions, including who authorised the use of an assault rifle, whether standard operating procedures were followed, and whether excessive force was used against protesters.

The first and most significant question concerns who authorised the use of the AK-47. Opposition leaders have demanded to know whether the constable acted independently or under instructions from senior officers. Bihar Police officials have stated that the constable, who belonged to an intelligence unit, was issued the weapon as part of his duties, but they also clarified that its use during the student protest was unjustified. The constable has since been suspended, and departmental proceedings have been initiated while authorities investigate the circumstances under which the weapon was fired.

Another major question is how many people were actually injured. According to senior Bihar Police officials, the constable fired at least three rounds into the air, and no one was injured by those shots. However, separate reports from the clashes in Siwan indicate that three protesters sustained gunshot injuries during the broader police action, although it remains under investigation whether those injuries were caused by the AK-47 or by other police firing during efforts to control the violence. The differing accounts have added to public confusion and strengthened demands for an independent investigation.

The incident has also raised questions about whether police followed the prescribed use-of-force protocol. Normally, crowd-control measures involve verbal warnings, barricades, water cannons, tear gas, or lathi charges before any firearm is used. The appearance of an AK-47 in a civilian protest has prompted legal experts and civil rights groups to ask whether the situation genuinely warranted such a weapon. Senior police officials have publicly acknowledged that there was no justification for the constable's decision to fire the rifle during the protest.

Political reactions have been swift. Opposition leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, have demanded a judicial inquiry, asking who ordered the firing and why an assault rifle was deployed against protesting students. They argue that accountability should extend beyond the individual constable if it is found that higher authorities authorised or failed to prevent the action.

The Bihar government and police administration, meanwhile, have maintained that disciplinary action has already begun. Officials confirmed that the constable has been suspended and that an internal inquiry will determine whether any other officers bear responsibility. Police have also stated that the use of the AK-47 in this context violated established norms and will be thoroughly investigated.

The controversy has also reignited a broader debate over the policing of public protests. Legal experts note that while police personnel may be equipped with assault rifles in exceptional security situations, their deployment during civilian demonstrations is subject to strict operational guidelines. The Siwan incident has therefore become a test case for examining how crowd-control protocols are implemented and whether reforms are needed to prevent similar situations in the future.

With the constable suspended, multiple investigations underway, and political pressure mounting, several critical questions remain unanswered: Who gave the operational order? Was the firing authorised? Were all crowd-control measures exhausted before firearms were used? How exactly were the reported injuries caused? The findings of the ongoing inquiry are expected to play a key role in determining accountability and shaping future policing practices in Bihar.