Alarmed over the cold blooded killing of a young stage-dancer while performing in stage, Punjab government on Monday issued directions to the state police chief to curb the use of firearms during such events.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, who also holds the Home portfolio, instructed State Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora to curb the use of firearms during marriage functions.
“I have instructed the DGP to curb the use of firearms during marriage functions,” said Sukhbir.
At the same time, he expressed is apprehensions over the increase in number of such incidents. “Number of such incidents are increasing, and that is why the police chief has been asked to ban arms during weddings,” he added.
Sukhbir’s instructions came at a time when a ban was already imposed on carrying fire arms in public places.
In a shocking incident, a 25-year-old dancer Kulwinder Kaur was allegedly shot dead while she was performing on stage by an inebriated man at a wedding in Maur Mandi area of Bhatinda. Reportedly, the man had earlier been stopped from going on the stage to dance with the women. The gun used allegedly belongs to the son of a local Akali leader.
The video of the shooting incident has also gone viral drawing shocked and angry outbursts on the social media.
The incident also drew attention towards the availability of firearms, especially among Punjabi youth who consider carrying guns as a fashion statement.
The figures also pointed that against about 2.3 percent of the country's population, Punjab has about 20 percent of the total private license weapons.
Highest are in Gurdaspur, ludhiana and Bathinda districts. The number of arms is high in the areas and districts which are prosperous or have people with strong political influence leading to a rise in the threat perception.