The Chhattisgarh police headquarters on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to Rajnandgaon superintendent of police (SP) Ankita Sharma after a video of her firing an AK-47 during a Dussehra weapon-worship ceremony was widely shared, with officers flagging possible violations of prescribed weapon-handling rules.
“After receiving the SP’s reply, I will record my observations and forward the matter to the police headquarters. The firing incident took place at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon on October 20 during the traditional ‘Shastra Puja’ held on the occasion of Vijayadashami, Rajnandgaon range inspector general of police Ajay Yadav said. The video showed Sharma, dressed in a saree, firing several rounds from an AK-47 after the weapon-worship ritual. Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore was also seen firing an AK-47 in another video after Sharma.
Yadav said the police headquarters had asked Sharma to explain her actions. The headquarters also took note of comments accompanying the viral video, which officers said had raised concerns about safety protocols and could affect the dignity of the police force. Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there,” Yadav said.
Videos of police personnel firing weapons after Shastra Puja ceremonies in other districts, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar, were also shared with the media on Tuesday.
