What happened: Congress allegations against Bihar police during student protests

Congress alleged that Bihar police subjected students protesting in solidarity with the Jantar Mantar agitation to “extreme brutality.” Congress also alleged the use of AK-47 rifles during police action.

Congress made the allegations at a press conference after Congress fact-finding teams submitted reports on police action against students in different parts of Bihar. Congress in-charge of Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, alleged that Bihar police conducted midnight raids, arrested students, and described the crackdown as a “reign of terror” intended to break students’ morale.

Congress claimed that in Siwan, police used AK-47 rifles against protesting youth and that three students were injured. Congress argued that AK-47 rifles are meant for use against terrorists rather than civilians.

Congress framed the allegations as a political challenge to the government’s handling of protests and policing, and Congress questioned the roles of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Background: protest policing as a governance and rights issue

Related current affairs