A gunfight between police and criminals in a village in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh claimed the life of an eight-year-old boy on Wednesday evening.
The boy, identified as Madhav, was killed when a bullet hit him in the head during the crossfire. The incident happened in Mohanpura village.
Reports say that the police team arrived in the village to nab suspects of a robbery. The criminals were asked to surrender but they opened fire.
According to Hindustan Times, the villagers claim that it was the police which first opened fire.
The boy’s grandfather said that the police initially agreed to accompany the boy to the hospital. However, the police told the family to take the boy themselves because they had to get more force for the encounter.
NDTV reports that the family of the boy has filed a complaint against the police. Extending support to the family, SSP Mathura Swapnil Mamgain said that the matter will be probed and action taken accordingly.
It is not clear whose bullet killed the boy.
Principal Secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the “unfortunate incident” and ordered a probe by the Inspector General of Police, Agra.
Adityanath has also sanctioned a financial aid of Rs 5 lakh to the bereaved family from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.