Shillong: A man sustained critical head injuries after accidentally firing a police officer’s service pistol during a social gathering in Jowai, West Jaintia Hills district, on Sunday evening, officials said.
The incident occurred between 4:30 pm and 5 pm when the victim, identified as Wanda-O-Najiar, was with friends, including Sub-Inspector Wewanroy Challan, Second Officer-in-Charge of Nartiang Police Station.
According to police, Najiar, who was chewing betel nut, picked up Challan’s pistol and began handling it when the weapon discharged, striking him in the head.
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Authorities have ruled out any quarrel, describing the incident as “purely accidental.”
Najiar was rushed to a government hospital in Jowai, then shifted to a private facility in the officer’s vehicle, before being referred to another private hospital in Shillong for specialised treatment.
Police have seized the firearm for forensic examination and issued a show-cause notice to Challan in connection with the incident.
