Under fire over the use of an AK-47 rifle by a police official during the last month’s students’ protest in Bihar, the state government has clarified its position in the Supreme Court.
Listing out the injuries to the officials, the government has stated that one BDO lost an eye, while the other suffered serious head injuries after being hit by a heavy object and his condition was stated to be serious. Police claim that no stringent action is currently being taken against protesting students with no criminal background. On the incident of firing from an AK-47 by a police officer in Siwan, the video of which had gone viral, the state government has stated that a constable who got trapped in the protesting crowd fired four rounds in the air. It added that none of the injured protesters was present at the spot where the constable opened AK-47 fire. The state government has further stated in the court that a total of 69 FIRs were registered in relation to protests between July 22 and 25, and 500 protesters were arrested. The government added that all children below 18 years of age with no criminal record have been released on a simple bond. Two BDOs, three police inspectors, two sub-inspectors and 11 constables were injured during this protest, according to the government.
In its affidavit in the Supreme Court, the Bihar government has denied allegations of “disproportionate use of force” by the police. The government said that when the law-and-order situation deteriorated, the police took necessary steps to control the crowd. The government has informed the court that although three protesters received “minor gunshot wounds”, none was hurt by the AK-47 bullets.
