Celebratory firing leaves a girl greviously injured in Gujarat

A 20-year-old girl was seriously injured in a celebratory firing during a wedding at Pipardi village in Botad district of Gujarat today

Ahmedabad, Dec 6: A 20-year-old girl was seriously injured in a celebratory firing during a wedding at Pipardi village in Botad district of Gujarat today, police said.

Bhuri Mithapara was rushed to Sir Takhtasinhji Hospital in Bhavnagar after a bullet hit her near the forehead when she was watching a wedding function at neighbour's place from the terrace of her house, said Police Sub-Inspector Y B Rana.

"As the groom's procession arrived, someone fired a round in the air. The bullet hit Bhuri," he said.

"Since she was seriously injured, she has been referred to Bhavnagar for further treatment. Her condition is still critical. We are filing the FIR. We are yet to identify the person who fired the shot," the police official added.

Earlier this month, a 48-year-old woman was killed in celebratory firing during a wedding in Haryana's Karnal District. All Indian Hindu Mahasabha leader Sadhvi Deva Thakur was arrested in the case after it came to light that it was she and her associates who had fired a few rounds in the air during the ceremony.

In April, celebratory firing during a marriage procession at Delhi's Mangolpur Kalan village resulted in the death of a girl. A gym instructer was later arrested in the case.

Deaths or injuries due to celebratory firing have emerged as a menace in certain parts of the country where firing in air during functions have become a ritual.

PTI