The Bihar Police on Thursday (August 13, 2026) banned the use of “automatic and assault weapons” during maintaining law and order and said their use would be only in cases related to organised crime and militancy. Earlier, a policeman in Siwan town of Bihar was caught on camera firing with AK-47 on protesting students, triggering anger.

Earlier on August 12, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav questioned the use of AK-47 on protesting students and asked the government why there was no action yet against the Siwan Superintendent of Police? Mr. Yadav announced a State-wide protest on August 19 over the incident.

“The Director General of Police has instructed all Superintendents of Police that automatic and assault weapons will not be used to maintain law and order; their use will be in cases of organised crimes, militancy, or other matters,” Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Headquarters, Patna, Sunil Kumar told media persons. When asked about the order given to the policeman who had fired with AK-47 on protesting students on July 25 in Siwan town, ADG, (Law and Order) K.S. Anupam said, “there was no order as such...he [the policeman] had fired on his own accord. He was not even part of the police team handling the crowd”.

The policeman, Abhishek Kumar, who had fired with AK-47 on protesting students in Siwan had already been put under suspension. “Action has already been taken against the personnel who used such weapons without permission”, Mr. Sunil Kumar added.

The AK-47 incident had triggered pandemonium both inside the Parliament and outside as the Opposition leaders demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and action against those who attacked students.

At least three protesters sustained gunshot injuries during the protest on July 25 and were referred to a private hospital in Patna for better medical assistance. However, the Siwan Police denied anyone was injured in the firing with AK-47 by the policeman near the J.P. Chowk.

Mr. Tejashwi Yadav thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for raising the issue in Parliament, and questioned the suspension of only one policeman. He also took a dig at the Bihar Chief Minister and the Prime Minister for “not speaking even a single word” on the issue.

Published - August 13, 2026 07:47 pm IST