Two youths were injured by pellets during a wedding procession in Ghazipur district, where an Army Havildar was arrested over alleged celebratory firing with a licensed firearm. The incident took place late on November 12–13 in Durkhushi village, also reported as Durkusi or Durkhursi, under Mardah police station.
Firing reported during wedding ritual
Police and local reports said the wedding was between Amit Kumar, a resident of Mudasari village in the Dullapur police station area, and Priyanka, daughter of Ramkunwar Ram of Durkhushi. At about 11:45 pm, during the baraat and the dwar puja ritual, the groom’s brother, Manoj Kumar Ram, 40, allegedly fired his licensed 12-bore double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) gun. He serves as a Havildar in the Indian Army.
The injured were identified as Saurabh Ram, 20, son of Dileep, who lives in Devkathia under Jangipur police station, and Tinku Ram, 18, also referred to as Sunny, son of Subba Ram, from Dhurehra. Saurabh sustained pellet injuries to the waist, while Tinku was injured in the hand.
Both youths were taken to the District Hospital in Mau. Their condition was reported as stable, and they were later referred to Varanasi for further treatment. The wedding ceremonies went ahead and were completed that night.
Police action and investigation
Mardah police reached the scene after receiving information. Manoj Kumar Ram was taken into custody and his licensed DBBL gun was seized. An FIR was registered under relevant sections following a complaint by Mardah Station House Officer Inspector Anil Kumar Singh. Police have also initiated proceedings to cancel the arms licence.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Atul Kumar Sonkar confirmed that police received information about firing during the baraat, the accused was taken into custody and the weapon was seized. He also said the injured were stable, a case had been registered and steps were under way to cancel the licence. Ghazipur Police’s official account confirmed the detention, seizure, case registration and referral of the licence-cancellation report.
In one account, the groom’s elder brother, Ashok Kumar, said the firing was accidental. He claimed the trigger was pressed inadvertently while money was being taken out of a packet. Police have treated the incident as negligent celebratory firing; further investigation is underway.
Celebratory firing at weddings, whether involving licensed or unlicensed firearms, remains a recurring law-and-order concern in parts of Uttar Pradesh and has frequently caused injuries. Authorities have reiterated that such acts violate arms laws and public-safety norms.
