Accidental gun discharge injures three florists at Kashi Vishwanath temple
A PAC constable's carbine fell and fired two rounds at the Nanu Feria Gate entrance on Saturday, injuring three flower sellers. Concrete shrapnel from the bullets caused the injuries, though all three were treated and released.
An unintended discharge from a police carbine at Kashi Vishwanath Dham left three flower vendors injured on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred near the Nanu Feria Gate entrance to the sacred temple complex in Varanasi, when a constable's weapon accidentally fell and fired two consecutive rounds into the ground.
The three injured workers—Nikky Gupta, Ram Babu, and Vikas Yadav—were florists employed at the temple premises. When the carbine discharged, the bullets struck the concrete road surface, sending sharp fragments and debris flying in multiple directions. The three men sustained injuries from the concrete shrapnel rather than direct bullet impact. All three received immediate first aid treatment at the scene and were subsequently discharged after medical evaluation, indicating their injuries were not severe.
The accidental firing momentarily triggered alarm among the large number of devotees and staff present at the temple complex on Saturday. Panic spread briefly through the area as people reacted to the sudden loud gunshots. However, temple authorities and police personnel quickly moved to reassure the public and bring the situation under control. The temporary chaos was managed within minutes, preventing any wider disturbance to the regular flow of pilgrims visiting the temple.
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham, one of India's most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites, sees thousands of visitors daily. Security personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) are deployed at multiple gates to manage crowds and ensure visitor safety. This incident highlights the risks posed by weapons handling in crowded public spaces, particularly at high-traffic pilgrimage destinations.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge. Police officials are examining how the weapon fell and fired without deliberate intent, and whether proper safety protocols were being followed by the constable at the time. The investigation will determine if any lapses in weapon handling procedures contributed to the mishap and may result in corrective action to prevent similar incidents in future.
This marks another reminder of the critical importance of strict firearm safety measures among armed personnel deployed in civilian areas, especially at spiritually significant locations where large congregations gather throughout the day.
