Bihar Police seems to be facing a major embarassment after a failed 21-gun salute, during the cremation of former Chief Minister of the state, Jagannath Mishra.
Mishra passed away on August 19 and the cremation took place at Balua Bazar on Wednesday amid full state honours.
In accordance with the tradition, a gun salute had to be given to the dead. As the 22 policemen got ready to fire from their guns, none of the guns could actually fire a single shot. The policemen tried their best but not a single fire could be carried out, the police said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and other senior police officials were present during the cremation process. According to the eye-witnesses, even senior officers tried to make the guns work but failed to find any solution. Finally, the cremation rituals were completed, but without the gun salute.
The senior officials refused to comment on this. Supaul Superintendent of Police Mrityunjay Chaudhary said: “We will initiate a probe in the matter and take action against the guilty persons.”
Congress leader Mishra started his career as a professor and went on to become the Chief Minister of Bihar three times. He died at the age of 82.