Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Student in Andhra Pradesh Gun Accident
Visakhapatnam: In a heartbreaking incident, a 13-year-old Class VI student named A Kaushik lost his life after a country-made gun accidentally discharged while he was playing with friends. The tragic event occurred on Sunday in Etikoppaka, located under Yelamanchili mandal in Anakapalle district.
Police Investigation Concludes Accidental Discharge
The Anakapalle district police, led by Yelamanchili inspector S Dhanunjaya Rao, concluded their investigation on Monday. They determined that Kaushik died when the loaded firearm went off accidentally during play. Police identified a poacher who had left the loaded country-made weapon at the location, holding him responsible for the boy's death.
Kaushik was found dead with a chest injury on Sunday afternoon. Initially, local residents speculated that his death occurred during a hunting expedition by poachers when a gun discharged.
Post-Mortem Reveals Instantaneous Death
A preliminary post-mortem examination conducted on Monday revealed that pellets pierced the boy's armpit area, causing instantaneous death. This finding confirmed the accidental nature of the discharge.
Police noted that despite ongoing arrests of poachers and seizures of illegal firearms, some individuals in parts of Anakapalle continue to engage in illegal hunting activities. These poachers typically use locally made muzzle-loading guns designed for wildlife hunting. The ammunition consists of gunpowder, metal balls, and other chemicals, which spray pellets into animals' bodies upon firing, killing them immediately.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
The investigation uncovered that Kaushik and his friends had gone to a canal on the outskirts of Etikoppaka on Sunday for bathing and playing. While there, one of the boys discovered his father's illegal firearm and brought it out.
"While they were playing with the firearm, it accidentally went off, causing Kaushik's death," Inspector Dhanunjaya Rao stated. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. They intend to arrest those responsible for possessing the illegal firearm and causing the fatal incident.
Police Warning and Legal Action
Anakapalle district police chief Tuhin Sinha issued a stern warning, emphasizing that stringent action will be taken against anyone using illegal firearms. He clarified that even individuals holding licensed weapons must refrain from firing them in the air or handing them over to others.
"We have decided to invoke various sections of the Arms Act against those using illegal firearms. Though some poachers claim they are using them for livelihood hunting, such claims will not stand before the law," police added, underscoring their commitment to enforcing firearm regulations strictly.
