Politics – West Bengal Minister Calls for Legal Process After Siwan Protest Violence
Politics –Student protests over alleged examination irregularities in Bihar’s Siwan have triggered political reactions, with officials stressing the need for lawful conduct while authorities continue reviewing the incident.
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday responded to the recent police action during student protests in Bihar’s Siwan, stating that maintaining law and order remains essential and that no individual or group should attempt to bypass legal procedures. He said the government would examine such incidents carefully and take suitable action wherever necessary.
Minister Stresses Rule of Law
Speaking on the developments, Ghosh said that respect for the law is fundamental in any democratic society. According to him, while people have the right to express their concerns, taking the law into their own hands cannot be justified. He added that whenever similar situations arise, the government is expected to assess the circumstances and ensure that appropriate measures are implemented based on the findings.
His remarks came as political attention continues to focus on the events that unfolded during the student demonstrations in Siwan.
Clashes Erupt During Student Demonstration
The unrest took place on Saturday when students gathered to protest alleged examination irregularities and the controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak. As the demonstration intensified, clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel.
Authorities said police resorted to tear gas and a lathi charge after reports of stone-pelting during the protest. The confrontation led to heightened tension in the area, drawing widespread attention from political parties and the public.
Among the most significant developments during the incident was the reported firing of an AK-47 rifle, which further escalated concerns about crowd-control measures adopted during the protest.
Opposition Questions Police Response
Following the incident, opposition parties criticised the government’s handling of the protests and questioned the police response in Siwan. The police, however, maintained that the firing was not intended to target protesters.
Officials stated that a police constable discharged four rounds into the air after allegedly being surrounded by supporters participating in the bandh. According to the police, the firing was carried out in an attempt to deal with the tense situation rather than to cause harm.
The episode has since become a major point of political debate, with demands for accountability and a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police action.
Constable Suspended After Inquiry Begins
In the aftermath of the incident, constable Abhishek Kumar was suspended from duty. Authorities also initiated departmental proceedings to examine his actions during the protest.
The suspension was announced as part of the administration’s response while officials began reviewing whether established procedures were followed during the handling of the demonstration.
District Administration Explains Incident
The district administration later issued a clarification regarding the events involving the suspended constable. Officials said Kumar was attached to the District Intelligence Unit and was travelling through JP Chowk as part of an investigation into an unrelated murder case when he unexpectedly became caught in the protest.
According to the administration, the constable found himself surrounded amid the unrest and fired four rounds into the air using an AK-47 rifle. District officials emphasised that the use of such a weapon in a public crowd-management situation was neither authorised nor appropriate.
The administration reiterated that the firing did not comply with established crowd-control protocols and confirmed that disciplinary action had already been initiated against the officer as part of the ongoing inquiry.