Raipur, A video of a senior woman IPS officer firing an AK-47 assault rifle into the air during a traditional weapon worship ritual on Dussehra in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon city has gone viral, triggering a debate over safety, discipline and weapon handling protocols.
saying she was merely following a tradition, others criticised her handling of the weapon While some social media users defended Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma. Police weapons and vehicles were worshipped. “Dangerously incorrect handling of a loaded weapon – All aspects of safety of weapon handling violated – Pointing a loaded weapon in all directions. Ppl in background are visibly terrified – Firing a service weapon for an unauthorised act in a non-authorised dress – Basic weapon handling drill taught in the…academies not adhered to – Such irresponsible action can cause death or hurt to self or others…,” he wrote. Several social media users, however, defended Sharma, arguing that the incident should not overshadow her professional record.
The viral video showed Sharma, dressed in a saree, firing several rounds from an AK-47. Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore was also seen firing an AK-47 after her in another video. A traditional ‘Shastra Puja’ ritual was performed at Police Lines in Rajnandgaon on Tuesday on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Videos showing police personnel firing weapons after the ritual in other districts, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar, were also shared with the media on Tuesday.
