Celebratory firing: 10-year-old Bhagalpur boy battles for life

PATNA: A 10-year-old child is battling for life at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after he received a bullet injury in his head during a celebratory firing at a marriage function at Gangalday village under Kahalgaon police station area in Bhagalpur district on November 27 night.
Police said they came to know on Friday that the bullet, which was lodged in the back of the skull of Sanoj Kumar, had been extracted after a surgery at PMCH.Police said he was referred to Patna from Bhagalpur soon after the incident.
Kahalgaon police station SHO Srikant Bharti said the child had come out of his residence to dance at a ‘baraat’ procession at Gangalday. “One Neeraj Kumar (21) opened fire and the bullet hit Sanoj in head from behind,” he said. He said Neeraj was evading arrest and raids were on to nab him.
The SHO said Sanoj’s father Akhilesh Poddar has lodged an FIR against Neeraj for attempting to kill his son. He, however, did not mention any reason for enmity or motive behind attemting to kill his son.
Meanwhile, in another case of celebratory firing under Sigori police station in the Paliganj subdivision of rural Patna on Wednesday, police said the injured Amrendra Kumar (28), the bridegroom’s brother, continues to be in critical condition. Sigori SHO Manoj Kumar said the family members were not cooperating with the police. “On Friday, a police officer from Patliputra police station visited the private hospital where Amrendra is undergoing treatment,” he said.
The SHO said the bride’s father, Ashok Yadav, a former mukhiya, is suspect in the case. “Sources told police that Amrendra’s family members were heard discussing that Ashok was involved in the celebratory firing,” he said.
The SHO said Ashok has a regular rifle. “However, things would become clear only after further investigation,” he added.