‘Trapped’ constable fired AK-47 during NEET protest: Bihar Police to Supreme Court
The Bihar Police informed the Supreme Court that a constable fired an AK-47 into the air during NEET-UG protests to manage a trapped situation. The affidavit maintains that police used restraint and that no injuries were caused by the rifle fire.
Why it matters
The use of military-grade weapons in civilian law enforcement and the handling of student protests are sensitive issues regarding civil liberties and police conduct.
The Bihar Police told the Supreme Court in an affidavit on Monday (August 18, 2026) that a police constable “trapped” in the crowd during the Bihar students’ NEET-UG paper leak protests and ensuing violence fired four rounds from his AK-47 rifle in the air.
“No one was injured from the bullets of the AK-47,” the affidavit said.
Though agreeing that the AK-47 is a “platoon-level weapon used in special operations” and not used in “law-and-order situations”, the Bihar Police still maintained that excessive force was not used and the crowd was met with “utmost restraint”.
The affidavit said another police officer had fired his 9mm pistol to “disperse the mob”.
The police admitted that “three protesters suffered minor firearm injuries” without explaining whether they were injured in the 9mm pistol shooting or separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in