PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has directed police to pay Rs 50,000 compensation to a woman injured by a stray bullet in 2021 during police firing practice at its former range in Maulinguem.
Urmila Gaonkar from Maulinguem was injured after a bullet from a gun fired from the Lakherem Firing Range penetrated and hit her right leg. She had to undergo surgery to remove a bullet.
In her complaint before the Human Rights body, Gaonkar, who use to earn her daily livelihood by working as house maid, stated that after her discharge, her physical capability to work was badly affected due to injury.
The police, too in their inquiry report, admitted to the incident.
Accordingly, the Commission has directed police to pay Rs 50,000 compensation to the woman within 30 days along with a Simple Interest thereon at 6 per cent per month from the date of the complaint i.e. 07/06/2022 till final payment.
Following the incident, no firing practice has been conducted at the Firing Range, Maulinguem, Bicholim.
