In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about firearm safety and police protocols, a woman suffered a critical injury after being accidentally shot in the head at close range by a police officer in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The disturbing event, which was captured on CCTV footage and has since spread rapidly across social media, occurred on a seemingly routine day at the Aligarh Kotwali Nagar police station.
भयावह!
अलीगढ़ के थाना कोतवाली में आज एक दरोगा की लापरवाही से पिस्टल से चली गोली एक महिला के सिर में जा लगी. महिला को गंभीर हालत में मेडिकल कॉलेज में भर्ती कराया गया, इशरत अपना पासपोर्ट वेरिफिकेशन के लिए थाने आई थी तभी अचानक दरोगा मनोज शर्मा की सरकारी पिस्टल से गोली चल गई जो… pic.twitter.com/KYnGe9m68c
— Gyanendra Shukla (@gyanu999) December 8, 2023
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was at the station for passport verification, a standard procedure handled through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) office. The footage shows the woman seated alongside a male companion in what should have been a safe and controlled environment. Tragically, the situation took a horrific turn when Sub-Inspector Manoj Sharma, upon receiving a pistol from another officer, attempted to load the weapon. In a harrowing twist of fate, the gun discharged unexpectedly, with the bullet striking the woman in the head.
The response to the incident was swift. The victim was immediately rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College for urgent medical treatment. Her condition, as of the latest reports, remains a matter of grave concern. Meanwhile, a flurry of activity ensued at the medical center, with senior law enforcement officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Aligarh, arriving to inquire about the victim’s state and to monitor the ongoing medical intervention.
लापरवाही के चलते उपरोक्त दरोगा मनोज शर्मा को तत्काल प्रभाव से निलंबित किया गया है तथा उसके विरुद्ध आपराधिक मुकदमा दर्ज किया गया है,घायल महिला का इलाज डॉक्टर की टीम द्वारा किया जा रहा है, घटना के फुटेज की जांच फील्ड यूनिट द्वारा की जा रही है। इस संबंध में एसएसपी की अपडेटेड बाइट । https://t.co/WmueVNfpFp pic.twitter.com/S7Y2n04sSS
— ALIGARH POLICE (@aligarhpolice) December 8, 2023
In the aftermath of the shooting, Sub-Inspector Sharma reportedly fled the scene, an action that has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about accountability and professional conduct within the police force. SSP Kalanidhi Naithani addressed the media, stating, “We are actively pursuing all necessary legal measures, including the immediate suspension of the accused inspector. The motive behind the accidental firing is currently unknown, and our priority is ensuring the victim receives the necessary medical care.”
This incident highlights a critical need for stringent measures in firearm handling and safety protocols within the police force. The easy access to firearms, combined with potentially insufficient training in weapon handling, poses a grave risk not only to the public but also to law enforcement personnel. The unfortunate event at Aligarh Kotwali Nagar police station is a stark reminder of the dangers of negligence and the paramount importance of rigorous training and adherence to safety protocols in police operations.
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As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, questions linger about the broader implications for police conduct and firearm safety. The incident has sparked a debate on the need for more robust training and stricter oversight in the handling of weapons by law enforcement officials. The community’s trust in the police force’s ability to ensure public safety has been shaken and this trust must be restored through transparent investigations and concrete actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The focus now remains on the recovery of the victim and the pursuit of justice. The law enforcement community, along with the citizens of Aligarh and the nation at large, await further developments as they come to terms with the gravity of this incident and its repercussions on public safety and police practices.
