VIDEO OF YOUTH POINTING PISTOL AT POLICE PERSONNEL

VIDEO OF YOUTH POINTING PISTOL AT POLICE PERSONNEL

17-JUNE-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------In Bihar's Bhojpur district, police shot a mentally disturbed young man who was brandishing a pistol in their presence. He sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and is currently undergoing treatment. Reports indicate that the young man had been roaming around with the pistol since the previous day (Tuesday), during which time he had fired several rounds. He had also threatened to kill the Station House Officer (SHO) by pointing the pistol at him. The incident took place in Bilauti village, under the jurisdiction of the Shahpur police station.

The accused, Bharat Tiwari, had previously posted a photo with a weapon on social media and threatened the Jagdishpur SDM with an encounter killing. Police had gone to apprehend him regarding this matter but found themselves on the defensive. The young man continued to engage with the police while holding the weapon, yet no one dared to intervene. He kept the pistol aimed at the Sub-Inspector for 20 minutes and threatened to shoot the officers if they tried anything clever.

The Shahpur SHO pleaded with folded hands, urging him to "hand over the weapon and come with me," but the young man retorted, "You are in my house... you should leave." At one point, when a police constable passed by carrying a weapon, the man aimed his pistol at him, shouting, "Are you going to shoot? I'll kill you—get out of here, or I'll gun everyone down." Throughout this, the young man's mother kept begging the police officer, "Please don't shoot." He told his mother, "Move aside; let me gun down a few of them."

During the standoff, he leveled several accusations against the police, saying, "You don't draw your guns where action is actually needed. You take bribes and keep your mouths shut, yet today you've come out to confront someone brandishing a pistol. If you have the guts, go catch real criminals. You lack the capability to catch criminals; if you go after them, they'll gun you down right there." "If you try any tricks, I’ll shoot you right here." Amidst this, he also says, "Go ahead, report it... record a video." The young man kept talking while the police officer stood by as a silent spectator.

Afterward, the young man lies down on his bed and asks the Sub-Inspector (SI) to sit on the chair. The SI asks him, "What do you want to become?" He replies, "Looking at me, can't you tell what I want to become? Your heart and mind understand exactly what I am, but you people won't be able to admit it because you have jobs to protect. That’s why you can’t say anything."

The SI asks, "Why did you threaten the SDM? What enmity do you have with him?" The young man replies, "He is my primary target." When the SI asks what the SDM did to provoke the threat, he says, "Go ask him that yourself." The SI then asks if he has ever met the SDM. The young man offers no further answer; instead, he lies on the bed, smiling while holding a pistol.

Regarding the incident, Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Malakar stated that the preliminary investigation revealed the young man is mentally unstable. Inquiries with his family and locals indicated that his mental health has not been normal for the past two to three years, which led to this behavior.

"The police are taking the matter of a mentally unstable person possessing a weapon very seriously. We are currently trying to determine how he obtained the pistol—whether it is licensed or illegal. All aspects of the case are being investigated." — Rajesh Malakar, Shahpur SHO

On Wednesday, the police arrived once again to bring the accused under control. Upon seeing the large police force, he opened fire. Faced with gunfire directed at them, the police fired back in self-defense. He was shot in both legs during the exchange. He was initially admitted to Shahpur Referral Hospital in an injured state, then moved to Sadar Hospital, and subsequently referred to Patna. Upon receiving the information, Jagdishpur SDPO Rajesh Kumar Sharma and Shahpur SHO Rajesh Malakar arrived at the scene.

"A mentally distressed young man opened fire on the police. In the ensuing retaliatory action, the police shot him in both legs. He has been referred from Ara to Patna for treatment. The matter is being investigated." – Rajesh Kumar Sharma, SDPO