India police officer suspended over AK-47 fire at student protest

An India police officer suspended after firing an AK-47 at student protesters has put fresh scrutiny on the handling of demonstrations over leaked exam papers, Al Jazeera reported. The case matters because the protests have already forced a political resignation and prompted allegations that police used excessive force.

According to Al Jazeera, the officer fired the rifle while students were protesting over exam papers that had been leaked. The report said the officer has since been suspended.

The demonstrations have grown into a broader controversy over the exam leak and the official response to the protests. Al Jazeera reported that the unrest led to the resignation of the education minister.

Why were students protesting in India?

The students were protesting over leaked exam papers, according to Al Jazeera. A leak can undermine trust in exams by raising questions about fairness, access and whether some candidates had an advantage before sitting the test.

Al Jazeera reported that the police response has drawn accusations of excessive force. The suspension of the officer indicates that authorities took disciplinary action after the AK-47 was fired, though the report did not give further details on any separate investigation or possible charges.

The incident adds pressure to officials already facing anger over the leaked papers. With the education minister’s resignation tied to the protests, the episode has become both a policing issue and an education accountability issue.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.