Jail term for celebratory firing hailed

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 13

City residents have hailed a Bill passed in the Lok Sabha that has a provision for a jail term for celebratory firing.

Three years ago, a 25-year-old pregnant dancer was shot dead in a celebratory firing during a marriage ceremony at Maur Mandi in Bathinda.

Atul Garg, CA, said “It is a great step as using firearms in marriage palaces was a cause of concern. Almost daily, we used read about these incidents in the media. Now, the major challenge is to impose the law at the grassroots level. The police also only intervene when any incident takes place due to celebratory firing.”

City resident NK Gosian said, “The illegal practice of brandishing weapons and firing in the air during weddings, parties and celebrations has seen many deaths and injuries across the state, but the authorities have failed to implement the ban orders on celebratory firing. Now, we appreciate the step taken by the government by making it a serious offence.”

Another resident Vijay Kumar said, “Hopefully, weddings will take place without brandishing weapons and firing gunshots in the air with the passing of the Bill. But, it will be hard to enforce in rural areas where influential people, including some politicians and their kin, see it as a matter of pride and law enforcement is weak.”

Following the growing number of deaths and injuries at weddings due to random gun firing, the Union Government has made an amendment to The Arms Bill, stating celebratory gun firing a serious offence. The Lok Sabha has passed the Bill in which the offender will be sentenced to two-year jail along with a fine of Rs1 lakh.