Woman IPS officer who fired AK-47 during Dussehra gets show-cause notice

The Chhattisgarh Police headquarters has expressed concern over negative reactions to the video, saying it had affected the dignity of the police force. It sought clarification over the apparent disregard for safety protocols.Senior IPS Ankita Sharma gets show-cause notice (Photo: ITG)The Chhattisgarh Police has issued a show-cause notice to senior IPS officer and the Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police (SP), Ankita Sharma, after a video of her firing an AK-47 rifle during Dussehra went viral and drew criticism. The police headquarters said the act violated weapon-handling rules and sought an explanation from the officer.The headquarters also expressed concern over negative reactions to the video, saying it had affected the dignity of the police force. It sought clarification over the apparent disregard for safety protocols."After receiving the SP's reply, I will record my observations and forward the matter to the police headquarters. Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there," the Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General of Police, Ajay Yadav, said.Sharma fired several rounds after the traditional 'Shastra Puja' at the Police Lines on October 20. The video went viral on Instagram, getting lakhs of views. DEBATE OVER WEAPON SAFETYThe video has triggered a debate over weapon handling and safety during ceremonial rituals. While some social media users defended Sharma, others questioned her conduct.Retired IPS officer R K Vij told PTI that ceremonial weapon worship did not require firing. "The tradition is essentially about performing the worship of weapons, not firing them. Such firing carries the risk of accidents and should be avoided," Vij said.An IPS officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI that firing blank rounds, commonly known as 'awazi kartoos', was part of the Shastra Puja tradition in Chhattisgarh. Live ammunition was not used on such occasions, the officer added.The officer also warned that bullets fired into the air could come back down and injure people nearby.Former Indian Army officer K J S Dhillon also criticised the weapon handling seen in the videos. In a social media post, he said basic safety precautions had been violated.He flagged the pointing of a loaded weapon in different directions, the presence of people in the background and the firing of a service weapon for what he described as an unauthorised act. He warned that such conduct could cause injuries or death.Another social media user identifying himself as Army veteran Colonel Deepak Kumar called the act reckless and unprofessional. He also questioned Sharma's handling of the rifle after firing.However, some users defended the officer. One user identifying himself as 'Former Major L S Choudhary' acknowledged shortcomings in weapon handling but said they should be corrected without discrediting Sharma's professional record.Another user, Narendra Negi, argued that Sharma was a trained IPS officer and said some of the criticism stemmed from her firing the rifle while wearing a saree.VIDEOS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS ALSO SURFACEApart from Ankita Sharma, other videos of other police personnel firing weapons also surfaced on social media.Kirtan Rathore, the Additional Superintendent of Police, was also seen firing an AK-47 in another video after Sharma.Other videos showing police personnel firing weapons after Shastra Puja in other districts, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar, also surfaced.- Ends