8-yr-old Mathura boy killed in crossfire during gunfight between cops, criminals

A top official said it was not yet clear as to who was responsible for killing the boy but authorities will take action against the policement named in the FIR, if any, by villagers.

An eight-year-old boy was allegedly killed in cross-firing during an encounter between a police team and criminals in a Mathura village on Wednesday.

Police officials rushed to a hospital where the boy was admitted to inquire about his health. He died at about 8.30pm on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Villagers have yet to lodge an FIR in the case but SSP Mathura Swapnil Mamgain said action will be taken against cops if they were named by the villagers in their complaint. The incident took place in Aduki village (Mohanpur) on Wednesday evening when a police team from Highway police station went to the village.

The victim’s grandfather Shiv Shankar said the policemen were sitting in the field and when asked, they told the villagers not to bother about them. The child was eating ‘ber’ at some distance.

Thereafter, they were seen moving while firing but no one else was seen, he said. “My eight-year-old grandson Madhav suddenly fell down after a bullet hit him in the head while his friends were seen crying,” he said.

“The cops called for a vehicle and agreed to accompany the family to hospital but at Navada, they told the family to take the boy to hospital as they had to go and fetch more force for the encounter. The boy was admitted to hospital but he died. The matter has been reported to senior officials who reached the hospital and assured to register a case for murder of the minor boy,” added the child’s grandfather.

“A police team from Highway police station of Mathura had gone to Aduki (Mohanpur) on information about criminal movement and found a few people engaged in gambling. It is said cross firing took place and the 8-year-old child was hit. He later died while being treated,” the SSP said . “It is not yet clear as to who is responsible for killing the boy but we will take action against the cops if they are identified and named in the FIR by villagers. A case will be registered under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code for murder and also for negligence if the cops refused to take the injured child to hospital,” the SSP said, adding that the post-mortem examination report would make more facts clear.

He said a sub inspector from Highway police station had gone to the village with a team without informing the station officer or circle officer.