Bihar AK-47 Row: Can Police Use Assault Rifles Against Protesters? What The Law Says
Bihar AK-47 Row: Can Police Use Assault Rifles Against Protesters? What The Law Says Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 11:36 IST An AK-47
Bihar AK-47 Row: Can Police Use Assault Rifles Against Protesters? What The Law Says Published By, Last Updated: July 28, 2026, 11:36 IST An AK-47 fired during the Siwan student protest has reignited debate over police use of force. Here's who carries these rifles in India and what the law permits Rapid Read Bihar Police AK-47 Row: The officer who allegedly fired the AK-47 during the student protest has been suspended pending a departmental inquiry into whether the use of force complied with legal procedures. Bihar AK-47 Row: A video purportedly showing a Bihar Police officer firing an AK-47 rifle during a student protest in Siwan has triggered widespread debate over the use of assault weapons by law enforcement. The firing reportedly took place on Saturday during demonstrations over the alleged NEET examination paper leak, with at least three young men said to have sustained serious injuries. The incident has reignited questions over whether police are authorised to possess assault rifles such as the AK-47, the circumstances under which they may be used, and whether their deployment against protesters is legally justified. The controversy has intensified after the police officer seen firing the rifle was suspended and a departmental inquiry was ordered. Why Has The Siwan AK-47 Firing Sparked Controversy? The incident occurred during the Bihar bandh called by student organisations on July 25 over the alleged NEET paper leak. A video circulating on social media appeared to show a police officer firing an AK-47 during clashes with protesters in Siwan district. According to reports, at least three youths were seriously injured. The use of an assault rifle during crowd control immediately raised questions over whether the threat level justified such force. Authorities have since suspended the officer involved and initiated departmental proceedings. The inquiry will examine who authorised the firing, whether standard operating procedures were followed, and whether the use of force complied with existing laws and police regulations. Can Bihar Police Possess AK-47 Rifles? Yes. Like several state police forces across India, Bihar Police possesses AK-47 rifles and other modern assault weapons. However, these firearms are not issued to regular police personnel performing routine law-and-order duties. Instead, they are generally assigned to specialised units such as Special Operations Group (SOG) Special Task Force (STF) Anti-Naxal units Counter-terrorism squads VIP security teams These specialised formations often operate in areas affected by insurgency, terrorism or organised crime, where criminals may possess sophisticated firearms.
The BriefWire