Bihar’s top police official has defended the use of force as necessary for self-defense amid ongoing political and judicial scrutiny. While the government reported a significant decline in major crime rates and progress in tackling cyber fraud, the state continues to face questions regarding police accountability in recent operations.
Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar stated on Friday that law enforcement personnel are sometimes forced to retaliate in self-defense during confrontations with criminals. The official comments follow a period of heightened public and political scrutiny regarding recent police operations in the state, including the encounter of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in the Bhojpur district.
During the press briefing, the DGP maintained that while officers are expected to adhere to standard operational procedures, they must respond when suspects initiate gunfire to ensure their own safety and maintain law and order. The administration addressed concerns about potential misconduct by noting that investigations are active and that disciplinary actions, including suspensions, have been taken where procedural failures were identified.
Alongside the defense of police actions, the state Home Department presented updated crime statistics. According to the government, there has been a notable decrease in serious criminal activities this year. Specifically, murder cases have declined by 10.1 percent, dacoity by 31.32 percent, and riot-related incidents by 18.97 percent compared to previous reports. The government further highlighted that the number of districts identified as Naxal-affected has dropped to zero, marking a significant shift from 2013 data.
Beyond physical law enforcement, the Economic Offences Unit shared details regarding cybercrime intervention. Authorities reported that 13 cases of disproportionate assets against public servants are being processed, while 33 arrests have been made in connection with exam paper leaks. The state’s cyber initiatives have led to the freezing of Rs 104 crore in suspicious accounts, with approximately Rs 9.99 crore already returned to victims of online fraud. Additionally, the average response time for the Dial 112 emergency service has been reduced to 11 minutes.
While this situation does not directly impact listed stock prices, law and order stability is a fundamental factor for regional economic development and business confidence. The primary monitorable for the public remains the progress of ongoing judicial inquiries into recent encounters. These legal proceedings will determine the accountability of the police force and influence future public trust in state security institutions.