Amnesty International documents excessive police force in Bihar protests

Human rights organisation Amnesty International said it had documented evidence of police officers unlawfully deploying lethal force against protesters in Siwan district, located in Bihar state in eastern India.

The organisation verified at least two separate incidents in which officers used force that exceeded what was necessary to manage the crowds, according to Amnesty's investigation. The findings add to a growing body of reports questioning police conduct during recent demonstrations across India.

The allegations underscore tensions between law enforcement agencies and protesters in several Indian states, where demonstrations have occasionally turned confrontational. Siwan district, which has a history of law and order challenges, has been the site of various public protests in recent years.

Amnesty International's documentation comes as civil society groups continue to scrutinise police responses to civil unrest across South Asia. The organisation did not immediately indicate whether it had referred its findings to Indian authorities or whether formal complaints had been lodged with relevant oversight bodies.

India's Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the Amnesty International report.