6-yr-old killed in celebratory firing in UP

Kanpur, Apr 12: A six-year-old boy was killed in celebratory firing during a ceremony in Shivli area here, prompting authorities to suspend a police station in-charge even as four persons were arrested in this connection.

"Alok Kumar was hit by a bullet in celebratory firing during a ceremony in Aunaha village around midnight. He was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds this morning," SHO of Shivli police station Shailendra Singh said.

Police have arrested four persons -- Shayam Agnihotri, his brother and two others in this connection and seized the gun used in celebratory firing. Kanpur SP (Rural) Pushpanjali Mathur said Aunaha police station In-charge, Inspector Rajeev Kumar, has been put under suspension and a posse of police deployed in the area in the wake of the incident.

"Authorities have banned celebratory firing in the state and issued orders that the police station in-charge in whose area the incident occurs would be put under suspension," he added.

In February, an eight-year-old was killed during celebratory firing by Samajwadi Party workers at Kairana town in Shamli district, triggering protests by locals.

PTI