Police Officer Suspended After AK-47 Fired During Student Protest in India

MuhammadAriLaw News | NEW DELHI, India | Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 09:30 WIB

NEW DELHI — Indian authorities have suspended a police officer after a widely circulated video showed him firing an AK-47 assault rifle into the air while attempting to disperse student demonstrators in the eastern state of Bihar, an incident that has intensified debate over the use of force during public protests.

According to Bihar Police, the incident occurred in Siwan district during demonstrations linked to nationwide protests over alleged irregularities and question paper leaks in India’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), one of the country’s largest medical entrance examinations. The controversy has fueled weeks of student-led protests demanding greater transparency and accountability from the government.

Authorities said the officer fired warning shots into the air while police attempted to disperse protesters. Officials emphasized that the available evidence does not indicate the weapon was fired directly at demonstrators. Nevertheless, the use of a military-style assault rifle at a civilian protest drew widespread criticism from political leaders, legal experts, and civil society organizations.

Senior Bihar police officials confirmed that the officer has been suspended from active duty pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary investigation. The inquiry will examine whether the officer’s actions complied with India’s operational policing standards governing the use of force during crowd-control operations.

The incident unfolded against the backdrop of a broader political crisis surrounding India’s examination system. Public anger over alleged examination paper leaks has triggered one of the country’s largest youth-led protest movements in recent years, prompting the resignation of India’s Education Minister and the government’s announcement of sweeping reforms intended to strengthen examination security and restore public confidence.

Opposition lawmakers have demanded greater accountability for the police response, arguing that the deployment of an assault rifle during a student demonstration raises serious concerns about proportionality and respect for democratic freedoms. The controversy has also disrupted parliamentary proceedings as lawmakers continue debating proposed reforms to India’s public examination system.

Human rights advocates and legal observers have renewed calls for law enforcement agencies to ensure that crowd-control measures remain consistent with constitutional protections for peaceful assembly. They argue that while authorities have a legitimate responsibility to maintain public order, any use of force must remain necessary, proportionate, and subject to independent oversight.

The case has rapidly become one of India’s most closely watched law enforcement controversies, illustrating the growing scrutiny faced by security agencies in the era of social media, where video evidence can instantly shape public debate and accelerate demands for accountability.

Indian authorities have stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and further administrative or legal action will depend on its findings.

MuhammadAriLaw News will continue to monitor the investigation and provide updates based on verified information while respecting the integrity of the legal process and the presumption of innocence.