Stray bullet from army firing range hits boy

A correspondent

JORHAT, June 8: A fourteen-year-old boy was injured when he was hit by a stray bullet reportedly fired by army personnel while practicing at the firing range located at Dholajan in Jorhat district.

The bullet hit Raj Handique on his right leg. After prelimiry treatment at the local health centre, he was taken to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.

"He was practicing taekwondo with his friends in the evening at a playfield adjacent to the firing range, when he was hit by a bullet," family sources said. Raj's father Anupam Handique is a police personnel. The firing range is under army's Lechubari-based Headquarter 41 Sub Area.

It is learnt that a team from the Mariani-based Military Engineer Services (MES) was practicing at the range this evening. The team is undergoing training since June 6.

Raj's family is likely to lodge an FIR at Jalukonibari outpost by tomorrow. Police have already collected the bullet.

A similar incident of a stray bullet hitting a civilian near the firing range was also reported last year.