FROM ‘NO SURRENDER, ONLY WAR’ TO DEATH

FROM ‘NO SURRENDER, ONLY WAR’ TO DEATH

20-JUNE-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR---------------------------The police operation in Bilaunti village (under Shahpur police station limits) is no longer just the story of a young man's death; it has raised serious questions about the Bihar Police's modus operandi. The youth, who had openly challenged the police while brandishing a weapon on social media, is no more. However, the questions that have arisen following his death remain unanswered.

The incident began with a viral video in which the youth was seen challenging the police while holding a pistol. He had even declared, "No surrender, only war." As the video went viral, the police swung into action and arrived at the village in large numbers. It was claimed that attempts were made to reason with the accused, but he refused to comply.

The events that followed appear to be a mix of conflicting official police statements and local speculation. The police state that the accused opened fire, prompting them to retaliate in self-defense. He was shot in both legs and subsequently died while undergoing treatment. This is where the questions arise.

The question is: if the bullets struck only his legs, how did he die? Was the injured youth provided with timely and adequate medical care? Was the police strategy limited merely to opening fire, or was there a serious attempt to capture him alive? Answers to these questions remain unclear. Furthermore, the biggest question is: given that the entire sequence of events was unfolding via social media and Facebook Live, did the police not have options to bring the situation under control without resorting to gunfire?

Interestingly, news of departmental action emerged following the incident, leading to the suspension of several police personnel. According to reports, after reviewing and investigating the matter, the Superintendent of Police (SP) has suspended a Sub-Inspector (SI), an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), and several constables who were on duty at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, following the discovery of negligence and serious lapses in duty during the incident, Shahabad Range DIG Dr. Satyaprakash has suspended Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Kumar Malakar with immediate effect. This action was taken upon the recommendation of Bhojpur SP Raj. The question now arises: if the entire operation was conducted in accordance with the rules, then why the suspension?

At the same time, the police have claimed to have recovered a pistol, cartridges, and a magazine. It was also stated that there was an exchange of fire. Ironically, the young man who had issued a challenge on social media was killed before he could even be proven a criminal, and the entire matter is now subject to an investigation. The question is not whether the young man was right or wrong; the question is whether establishing the rule of law has been reduced merely to gunfire and encounters.

The Bilaunti incident compels us to reflect once again on whether police success should be measured by the death of an accused person or by producing them alive before the law. After all, in a democracy, justice is delivered by the courts, not by bullets. We now await the magisterial inquiry and the post-mortem report. However, until then, this incident in Bhojpur will remain a major question mark regarding the police's modus operandi, accountability, and the transparency of encounters.