Tura (Meghalaya), June 29 (PTI): A 65-year-old woman has been killed in a case of alleged accidental shooting by a mentally challenged man at Old Bhaitbari village in West Garo Hills district, a senior police officer said here today.
The victim, Salma Bewa, worked as a domestic help in the house of the suspect, he said.
In the FIR, Bewa's family members said the accused, identified as 22-year-old Habibur Rahman, must have shot her by mistake, Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar said.
"The man apparently fired the bullet around 4pm yesterday using a single barrel shotgun (SBBL) that belonged to his father Nurul Islam. Salma was hit in the eye and succumbed to her injuries on the spot," he explained.
Rahman along with his family members have fled the village following the incident, the SP said.
"After a thorough search at the suspect's home, the police were able to find the weapon (SBBL gun) along with a spent cartridge inside. A certificate confirming the mental illness of the accused has also been recovered from a cupboard in the house," he said.
All items have been taken into custody following legal procedures, the officer stated, adding that the police are trying their best to trace Rahaman and his family members.
