‘Platoon-level weapon’ (IANS photo) NEW DELHI: The Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that a constable deployed during student protests in Siwan fired four rounds from an AK-47 only after he was “trapped and surrounded by protesters.”A video showing a policeman firing an AK-47 during the protests went viral, triggering widespread outrage and backlash.The Samrat Choudhary government said the firing was directed into the air and did not injure any protesters.The government’s response was filed before the apex court in connection with petitions alleging excessive police force during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student movement.According to the affidavit, the AK-47 incident took place on July 25 near JP Chowk in Siwan. Constable Abhishek Kumar was allegedly surrounded by protesters.The State said Kumar “got trapped in the crowd” and fired four rounds from his AK-47 “in the air” to deal with the situation. It maintained that no protester was injured in this firing.The government, however, said three protesters suffered minor firearm injuries during the police action that day. It clarified that the injuries were not caused by Kumar’s AK-47 firing and that the injured protesters were not present at the spot where he opened fire.The affidavit also mentioned another firing incident during the protests. Assistant Sub-Inspector Nilesh Kumar Singh allegedly fired two rounds from his 9mm pistol near Hathi Chowk to disperse the crowd.The Bihar government maintained that police exercised restraint during the protests and did not use disproportionate force.The state government said Kumar’s firing occurred only after he was surrounded by the crowd. It also pointed out that the AK-47 was not intended for routine crowd-control or regular law-and-order duties.Kumar has since been suspended over what the government called “undesired conduct”, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against him.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe state govt further told the court that the AK-47 carried by Kumar was a “platoon-level weapon” meant for special operations and not for routine law-and-order deployment.The use of an assault rifle during a protest is among the issues raised before the Supreme Court, with petitioners alleging excessive use of force by police.While the Bihar government has defended the circumstances of the July 25 firing, the petitions have raised wider concerns over police action against protesters.The Samrat Choudhary government’s affidavit forms part of the ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court. The court is examining allegations about the police response, including the circumstances of the firing, injuries reported during the protests and whether the force used was proportionate.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVijay Apologises In Assembly After Karunanidhi Remark Sparks DMK Uproar Over Decorum BreachCriminal Cases Against Netas: 4,192 Trials Pending, 170 Lok Sabha MPs Face Serious ChargesJSSC-CGL CANCELLED: Jharkhand Students Celebrate After Government Accepts Key Demands“No Compensation, Build A School”: CJP Volunteer Emotional Tribute To Father Leaves Ranka In TearsAsish Banerjee Death Mystery: Threat, Blackmail Angle Probed As Note And Phones Face ScrutinyBJP’s Big Shake-Up: Ram Madhav Returns, Smriti Irani Gets Key Role In Nitin Nabin’s New Team‘Will Rise For Vande Mataram, But Won’t Sing’: Congress MP Imran Masood Amid Sonia Gandhi Row‘Personally Meet Students’: Rahul Gandhi Writes To CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand Protests7 Charred To Death, Several Injured In Fire At Hotel Near Tarapith Temple In Bengal’s Birbhum‘Electric Pole Fell’: 7 Women Dead, Many Injured In Stampede At Temple In Bihar’s Lakhisarai123PhotostoriesYou may feel completely fine, but these 6 everyday habits could be hurting your kidneysClassic Kasavu to rich Kanjeevaram:5 South Indian sarees to wear for Onam 2026From handloom cotton to merino wool: 6 fabrics every woman should choose this autumn for comfort, skin health and style10 vegetarian dishes from around the world that Indians will genuinely loveCharu Asopa breaks silence on financial struggles, debt and claims of keeping Ziana away from grandparents amid divorceSun Ketu in Leo 2026: Remedies you can perform according to your zodiac signWhy does dal foam while boiling? 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NEW DELHI: The Bihar government has told the Supreme Court that a constable deployed during student protests in Siwan fired four rounds from an AK-47 only after he was “trapped and surrounded by protesters.”A video showing a policeman firing an AK-47 during the protests went viral, triggering widespread outrage and backlash.The Samrat Choudhary government said the firing was directed into the air and did not injure any protesters.The government’s response was filed before the apex court in connection with petitions alleging excessive police force during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student movement.According to the affidavit, the AK-47 incident took place on July 25 near JP Chowk in Siwan. Constable Abhishek Kumar was allegedly surrounded by protesters.The State said Kumar “got trapped in the crowd” and fired four rounds from his AK-47 “in the air” to deal with the situation. It maintained that no protester was injured in this firing.The government, however, said three protesters suffered minor firearm injuries during the police action that day. It clarified that the injuries were not caused by Kumar’s AK-47 firing and that the injured protesters were not present at the spot where he opened fire.The affidavit also mentioned another firing incident during the protests. Assistant Sub-Inspector Nilesh Kumar Singh allegedly fired two rounds from his 9mm pistol near Hathi Chowk to disperse the crowd.The Bihar government maintained that police exercised restraint during the protests and did not use disproportionate force.The state government said Kumar’s firing occurred only after he was surrounded by the crowd. It also pointed out that the AK-47 was not intended for routine crowd-control or regular law-and-order duties.Kumar has since been suspended over what the government called “undesired conduct”, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against him.
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The state govt further told the court that the AK-47 carried by Kumar was a “platoon-level weapon” meant for special operations and not for routine law-and-order deployment.The use of an assault rifle during a protest is among the issues raised before the Supreme Court, with petitioners alleging excessive use of force by police.While the Bihar government has defended the circumstances of the July 25 firing, the petitions have raised wider concerns over police action against protesters.The Samrat Choudhary government’s affidavit forms part of the ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court. The court is examining allegations about the police response, including the circumstances of the firing, injuries reported during the protests and whether the force used was proportionate.