An Assam Police constable was arrested after he allegedly shot dead two of his colleagues with an AK-47 rifle at a police outpost in Chirang district, officials said on Thursday. The incident took place at the Panbari police outpost under the Bijni police station area on Wednesday night. The accused constable, identified as Pranjal Rabha, allegedly opened fire on two colleagues following an altercation. The deceased policemen were identified as constables Bikram Basumatary and Anil Chandra Barman.
Altercation turns fatal
According to police, an argument broke out among the personnel at the outpost before Rabha allegedly picked up an AK-47 rifle and fired at his colleagues. Both constables sustained critical bullet injuries in the firing. They were rushed for medical treatment but succumbed to their injuries.
Senior police officials reached the outpost following the incident and took stock of the situation. Rabha was subsequently taken into custody and the weapon allegedly used in the shooting was seized. Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the altercation and subsequent firing. Officials are also examining whether there were any previous disputes among the personnel involved.
The incident has raised questions over the handling and accessibility of service weapons at police facilities and the circumstances in which the accused allegedly gained access to the assault rifle.
Probe underway
A case has been registered and the accused constable is being questioned as investigators attempt to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. Police are also recording statements of other personnel who were present at or near the outpost at the time of the incident. The bodies of the two deceased policemen were sent for post-mortem examination as part of the investigation. Further departmental action is also expected on the basis of the findings of the inquiry into the incident.