Itanagar: In a shocking incident, a 40-year-old woman sustained serious injuries after being struck by a stray bullet fired by a minor in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The mishap occurred on Sunday evening at Aalo, when the minor, who had allegedly stolen a .22 bore rifle belonging to his employer — a police sub-inspector serving as the officer-in-charge of Yomcha Police Station — went out hunting birds. During the attempt, the firearm discharged accidentally, and the bullet hit Yater Gamlin Potom, leaving her grievously injured.
Fearing punishment, the minor reportedly abandoned the weapon and fled the scene immediately after the incident. Police later recovered the firearm and registered an FIR at Yomcha Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
Authorities have since taken both the minor and the police officer into custody for further investigation into the unauthorized possession and handling of the firearm.
The injured woman was first taken to the Yomcha Health Centre, and later referred to Aalo General Hospital for a CT scan and further medical examination. Owing to the severity of her internal injuries, she was subsequently shifted to Dibrugarh, Assam, for advanced treatment.
According to police sources, Yater Gamlin Potom is currently admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Dibrugarh, where her condition is reported to be stable.
The incident has raised serious concerns over firearm safety and accountability within police households, as the investigation continues to determine lapses in supervision that led to the minor’s access to the weapon.
