Lucknow standoff ends, unstable man rescued

Lucknow, Feb 19: A mentally unstable youth who locked himself in his room and fired at police was captured after almost 40 hours on Friday, Feb 19.

Shamim alias Raju, son of a doctor in Bakshi-ka-Talab on the outskirts of Lucknow, was captured after being given anesthesia.

Police said Shamim was taken to a hospital in Lucknow, where he will be put on tranquilisers and his treatment will continue.

Lucknow: Efforts to help mentally ill & armed boy

A mentally unstable youngster, who has locked himself in his room for over 30 hours now, fired at the police even as they continue to figure out a way to help him.

The 27-year-old reportedly locked himself in his room on Wednesday, Feb 17. When Shamim alias Raju refused to opened the door, his father Shabeer Ahmad called the police on Thursday, Feb 18 morning for help.

When a inspector and few constables arrived at the residence in Bakshi-ka-Talab area, located on the outskirts of Lucknow, Raju started firing at them with his father's licensed gun.

The firing has been on since Thursday, Feb 18 morning and Raju is not hesitating to turn the gun towards friends and relatives too.

"We have learnt that the youth is mentally unstable...He has a phobia that people, including his relatives and family members, will harm him," said Superintendent of Police (rural) Ashok Prasad told reporters, adding that he had a depressive attack two years ago.

Now, the police personnel are trying everything to rescue the boy by getting him out of the room. They even tried to mix sedatives in his food and water, say media reports.

The last shot fired by Raju was at around 1:15 am on Friday, Feb 19. At around 9 am, smoke was seen coming out of the floor where Raju has locked himself in. The police are unsure as to what led to the smoke.

Even though the family has admitted that Raju is mentally ill, they have not provided any reason behind it. Quoting neighbours, media reports say that Raju went into depression after he was not allowed to pursue a career of his interest.

OneIndia News