UP policemen's celebratory firing leaves boy killed

Lucknow, April 26: A teenaged boy was killed and two injured in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday when a group of policemen went on a firing spree while celebrating engagement of a family member, police said on Tuesday.

After the "tilak" ceremony of a man, his policemen relatives late Monday fired at least fifty rounds to "express happiness" at the ebent. The celebratory firing took place in Mahsui village.

By the time celebrations ended, 15-year-old Mahendra was killed and two people, Gaurish and Rohit, were left with gunshot wounds.

The police later arrested two people and impounded a licensed weapon. Others were still on the run with their weapons, Station House Officer (SHO) Sunil Singh said.

Eyewitnesses said as the function was being conducted, drunk policemen began firing all around.

There have been many deaths in celebratory firing across Uttar Pradesh in the past. Despite strict directives of the Supreme Court and Uttar Pradesh High Court, the firing spree continues unabated.

IANS