'No orders to open fire': Siwan DM on suspended cop who fired AK-47 during NEET protest

SIWAN: Following political uproar and allegations in Parliament over alleged police excesses, the Siwan district administration in Bihar on Monday initiated action against the police personnel involved in the firing incident during recent student protests.Siwan district magistrate Vivek Ranjan Maitrey and superintendent of police Puran Kumar Jha confirmed that constable Abhishek Kumar had been suspended with immediate effect.Officials informed that departmental proceedings had been initiated against him, news agency ANI reported.According to the administration, the constable was part of a District Intelligence Unit (DIU) team that was passing through JP Chowk to investigate an unrelated murder case when it became caught in a crowd of protesters.During the commotion, the constable fired four rounds into the air from an AK-47 assault rifle, ANI reported.The district magistrate said the firing was unauthorised and inappropriate."He did not have the orders to do so. He should not have fired in the air. Such a weapon should not have been taken in public. As the SP said, the officer was going elsewhere when he got stuck in the commotion," Maitrey said.In a statement issued on Monday, Bihar Police said Constable Abhishek Kumar pointed the rifle upwards and opened fire to safeguard lives, public safety and government property, ANI reported."No one has been harmed by an AK-47 in this instance. Constable Abhishek has been suspended with immediate effect," SP said.Bihar Police also clarified that the three persons who sustained bullet injuries were found at locations away from the site where the constable opened fire.According to the statement, Md Arif, 17, and Akash Kumar, 22, were injured near Hafiz Chowk, around 1.5km from JP Chowk, while 20-year-old Bullet Kumar Gaur was found injured near the Traffic Police Station, approximately 2km away.Police said all three injured persons were declared out of danger by doctors.After receiving initial treatment at Siwan Sadar Hospital, they were shifted to Medanta Hospital in Patna. Md Arif has since been discharged.Based on the statements of the injured, separate FIRs have been registered at Siwan Town Police Station.Further investigation is underway.(With agency inputs)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Patna | Silver Rate in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna | Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Petrol Price in Patna | Diesel Price in Patna | CNG Price in Patna | LPG Price in PatnaStay updated with the latest Patna news. Download the TOI App.