Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 22
One man fell victim to
"As per provision of the Arms Act, "firing live rounds while celebrating marriages, religious function or social gathering is illegal and will result in initiation of legal action," read the notification issued by the Home Commissioner R Ramakrishnan and signed by Secretary (Home) Rovilatuo Mor.
Earlier, a video circulating on social media show a group of men beating a traditional Naga log drum. A while later, the camera pans to the right to show a suited man firing shots in the air using a pistol as uniformed police personnel and civilians looks on. After a few shots, the pistol jams, he reloads and shoots again. He hands over the pistol to a policeman behind him and moves out of frame as the camera pans left to show the group of men beating the log drum.
Shots are heard and the camera pans right again to show the policeman firing the pistol in the air.
A voice note accompanying the video said the incident occurred at Totok Chingyu village in Mon on December 21. The occasion was an inauguration programme at the village to which a “Minister” was invited. According to the voice note, the death was accidental – a result of celebratory gunfire.
The alleged incident could not be corroborated officially. Repeated attempts to contact the Mon police for information were unsuccessful. Messages and calls made to the district police on Saturday went unanswered.
Meanwhile, other sources confirmed the incident occurred on December 21 at a village under Mon Sadar circle of the district. The notifications by
Home Commissioner give official credence to the incident.
The notification further directed "All heads of District Police Establishments" to ensure "strict compliance as well as take prompt action against offenders."
Another notification issued by Secretary (Home) read, "Orders may be issued to ban the use of service weapon other than which they are meant."
It further stated that personnel issued with "such weapons should be personally held responsible for any aberration."
This article has been updated to incorporate new inputs.
