Celebratory firing: Bihar man held for killing mother

ARA/PATNA: A 70-year-old Bhojpur woman, who was allegedly injured in celebratory firing by her son during his "tilak" ceremony on Tuesday, died at a Patna hospital on Thursday. The accused, Bajrangi Kumar, was arrested.
The incident had occurred at Dihri village under the Sandesh police station area in Bhojpur district. The victim was identified as Taramuni Kunwar.
An Ara doctor in whose private clinic the woman was admitted first said her family members, including son Bajrangi, were not ready to donate blood to her.
"The woman had received pellet injuries in her stomach. She lost too much blood and her condition turned critical. However, her family members did not agree to donate blood," the doctor said. She was then referred to a Patna hospital where she died on Thursday. Bhojpur SP Pramod Kumar said the accused was arrested from Digha area in Patna. "Initial investigations suggested that it was Bajrangi who had indulged in celebratory firing. However, the family members tried to mislead the police by saying that the woman was electrocuted," he added.SHO of Sandesh police station Awadhesh Kumar said Bajrangi was preparing for his second marriage as his first wife had deserted him. The celebratory firing menace seems unabated in Bihar. Around 15 deaths have been reported due to celebratory firing in the last one year.
In a bid to curb the menace, the Bihar police have issued directives to all districts seeking information of such incidents in order to take stringent action against the culprits according to The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019. As of now, there is no such collective data available with the police headquarters.
ADG (headquarters), J S Gangwar said authorities of all districts have been asked to provide the number of celebratory firing cases registered by them. "Action will be taken against the those involved in the illegal act. Among the most affected districts are Bhojpur, Saran and rural areas of Patna. Both licensed and illegal weapons are being used in celebratory firing which is a criminal offence," he added.
The amended Arms Act has a provision of only two years of imprisonment or Rs 1 lakh fine or both as well as cancellation of arms licence. Commenting on celebratory firing, retired IPS officer S K Bhardwaj said there should be more stringent punishment for the offence.
Former Bihar DGP Abhyanand said the applications for firearm licence should be scrutinized properly. "No one is allowed to misuse the licensed arms. It is given for protection to life and property", he added.
The celebratory firing menace is happening despite strict orders from the Patna high court. The HC, while disposing of a public interest litigation of one Rajiv Ranjan Singh, had held on February 27 this year that celebratory gunfire made in public gatherings/religious places, marriage parties or other functions is a crime.
All DMs and SPs have been directed to develop a system of immediate reporting of the cases of celebratory firing.