Shamli firing incident: Arms licences of 2 accused suspended

The ruling Samajwadi Party was left red-faced over the firing incident on February 7.

Authorities have suspended arms licences of two of the accused in killing of an eight-year-old boy during celebratory firing in Shamli district, which is being probed by the crime branch, police said on Saturday.

Arms licences of the two absconding accused -- Gulshan and Sadik -- have been suspended by the district authorities yesterday on the basis of a video footage which showed that they were among those firing shots during a poll victory rally, said Circle Officer Nishank Sharma.

Investigation is on against another gun licence-holder Rashid in this connection.

The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) was left red-faced over the firing incident on February 7, when the boy was killed in celebratory firing by party workers in Shamli district. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had ordered immediate removal of the area's SDM and Deputy SP.

So far, three cases have been lodged in this connection. The district authorities have started proceedings to cancel the arms licences of the accused who were found involved in celebratory firing at Kairana inShamli district last Sunday.

Police have booked 200 unidentified persons under various sections including section 147 (rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 and 143 (unlawful assembly), and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC in this connection.

Police have also announced a reward of Rs 5,000 for any information on the absconding accused.

SP leader and Kairana MLA Nahid Hasan had been earlier booked along with 30 of his supporters for allegedly threatening two journalists from a leading English news channel who had gone to cover the incident.

Hasan had refuted allegations that he or his aides had attacked the two journalists and said it was an attempt by the opposition to tarnish the image of the ruling party.

The incident has invited sharp criticism with the BJP described the Akhilesh Yadav government as a 'Mughal sultanate' that has issued license to its "goons" to do what they want.