Bihar suspends constable for firing AK-47 at protesters, withdraws FIRs on students

During nationwide student agitations over NEET, police action in Bihar's Siwan sparked severe controversy after a constable fired an AK-47 during a protest. The Bihar police suspended the constable, maintaining that four aerial rounds were fired to protect lives and public property. Amid political debate and demands for judicial inquiry, the Bihar government announced a major decision to withdraw all FIRs, complaints, and cases registered against protesters up to 6:00 PM on July 26, while promising the release of detained students without retaliatory action. Simultaneously, the central government notified an Education Task Force led by Nandan Nilekani to reform the National Testing Agency and prevent paper leaks. In an exclusive interview on News Track, panel member and IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti emphasised that while scale makes technology intervention essential, robust protocols and third-party oversight are necessary to ensure secure, transparent, and leak-proof examination systems across India.