In a major reshuffle, the Bihar government on Tuesday transferred 17 senior IPS officers, including SPs of Bhojpur and Siwan where police action had triggered massive controversies.
As per the circular issued by the state Home Department, the government has transferred Siwan Superintendent of Police (SP) Pooran Kumar Jha. Notably, Jha — under whose command an AK-47 rifle was allegedly used during a student protest in Siwan on July 25 — has been placed on the waiting list for a new posting.
What Happened In Siwan
On July 25, during student protests in Bihar’s Siwan district, a police constable — Abhishek Kumar — was seen using the rifle during the demonstration. The video of the incident went viral on social media. Kumar was subsequently suspended and departmental proceedings were initiated against him.
Following the incident, the Bihar government defended the action and informed the Supreme Court that constable Kumar fired four rounds from an AK-47 after being “trapped and surrounded by protesters” near JP Chowk during the July 25 protests. The government added that the firing was directed into the air and did not cause any injury to anyone at the spot.
The state government said three protesters suffered firearm injuries during police action elsewhere in Siwan but maintained that they were not injured by Kumar’s AK-47 firing.
In its affidavit, the government described the AK-47 as a “platoon-level weapon” meant for special operations rather than routine law-and-order duties.
Bihar Govt Transfers 17 IPS Officers
In addition to Jha, Raj — the SP of Bhojpur — where the encounter of local activist Bharat Tiwari had triggered an outcry, has also been transferred.
Hriday Kant has been made the SP of Nalanda, while Bharat Soni has been appointed as the new SP of Siwan.
Awadesh Dikshit has been made the SP of Bhojpur district, according to the circular.