Chengalpattu: An 11-year-old boy on his way to school in Tamil Nadu’s Madurantakam was left with a serious head injury on Tuesday morning (June 25) after a bullet, meant for a stray dog, struck him instead. The boy, identified as Kuralarasan from Kokkaranthangal village, is now in stable condition, police confirmed, as per a report by DT News.
The incident occurred when a local villager, Venkatesan (55), hired a tribal youth to shoot down aggressive stray dogs that had been causing panic among residents in Vilangadu village. But one of the shots missed its mark and hit the unsuspecting child.
Hired Gun Misses Target, Hits Schoolboy
The shooter, 25-year-old Sarathkumar from Sirukkaranai village, was using a country-made gun when the incident occurred. According to police, he was attempting to kill a stray dog near the village when one of his bullets struck Kuralarasan in the head as the boy was walking to his government school.
Hearing the child’s screams, villagers rushed to his aid and quickly took him to Chengalpattu Government Hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. The bullet injury was serious, but doctors have since declared the boy out of danger.
Villagers Assault Gunman, Police Make Arrests
Furious locals caught hold of Sarathkumar after the shooting and assaulted him before handing him over to the police. Both Sarathkumar and Venkatesan, who arranged the unauthorised culling, were arrested by the Chithamoor police. The weapon and remaining bullets were also seized.
The duo has since been remanded in judicial custody. “The child’s condition is stable and he is recovering well,” a police official said, as per a report by DT Next.
