Bhopal: A tragic incident occurred in Lodni village, Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh, where eight individuals, including a child, were injured due to accidental firing during a funeral procession. The incident took place around 2 p.m. on Friday under the Sondwa police station area when a bullet was accidentally discharged from a 12-bore licensed gun.
The incident occurred during the last rites of Nahar Singh, a resident of Lodni village who had passed away earlier that day. As per tribal customs, it is a tradition to fire shots in the air and set off firecrackers to honor the deceased during funeral ceremonies.
A senior police officer mentioned that it was unclear whether the Sarpanch accidentally fired the shot or if the discharge was unintentional. Investigations will determine the exact cause of the incident. Preliminary reports suggest the shot was intended to be fired in the air but discharged prematurely, causing pellets to scatter and injure eight individuals participating in the funeral procession.
The injured were initially taken to Umrali Health Center for emergency care, and later transported to the district hospital in Alirajpur. Seven of them were subsequently referred to MY Hospital in Indore for further treatment, with four individuals in critical condition. One of the injured, a nine-year-old child named Prem Prakash, sustained a pellet injury to his leg but was not in life-threatening condition and was discharged after treatment.
The police have registered a case under Section 100 (culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code against Sarpanch Nan Singh. Investigations are ongoing, and his nephew, Gamla Singh Dabar, is also under scrutiny, as the firearm involved was registered in his name. There is suspicion that the weapon may have been handed over and misused during the incident.
Those injured include Prem Prakash (9), Ranchhod Richadia (65), Jhungla Kamaliya (45), Sunil Hardas (17), Rohit Ristram (22), Rakesh Madhu Singh (35), Omprakash Bhushla (23), and Bhangdia Ichchha (26).