Deposit arms after duty, Bhojpur SP orders policemen

PATNA: Bhojpur SP Sushil Kumar has ordered policemen to submit their firearms before returning home from duty.
The order has been issued in the backdrop of an incident in Sitamarhi where constable Chandra Bhushan Kumar shot his wife Madhu Kumari dead by using his official AK-47 assault rifle and later committed suicide by the same weapon at Simra under Dumra police station in the district on Sunday.The AK-47 rifle was issued to him from police lines for daily duty in a quick response team (QRT) in town area.
Most of the policemen involved in daily law and order, escort or court duty return to their residences without depositing the firearms at police lines armoury. The Bhojpur SP on Monday ordered policemen in the district to strictly obey the rules of getting firearms issued from police lines while going to specific duties like law and order, escort or court duty and submit the arms and ammunition before going home.
His order also mentions that in case of any lapses, the police lines and armoury incharge would be held responsible.
When contacted, Sitamarhi SP Anil Kumar said the AK-47 used by Chandra was allotted to him from police lines. When asked if weapons like AK-47 are allowed to be taken home after duty hours, Kumar said a weapon like AK-47 is a company weapon and remains with the unit.
Former DGP Neelmani said, “A company weapon like rifle has to be deposited in the armoury after duty. It can’t be taken back home individually.”