The drill was organised as part of the Crime Prevention Month for children and public at District Armed Reserve (DAR) grounds.
The police, however, used the children for mock protest and even demonstrated the use of tear gas through dummy shells. Schoolchildren too were excited by the display.
Three rounds of rubber bullets were fired in the air to demonstrate methods used to control protesters. Within seconds loud cries were heard from the section of the ground where children were “protesting.”
Policemen rushed to spot only to find children injured by the pellets of the rubber bullets that had exploded after hitting stones on the ground. Many children, scared by the loud noise, where in semi-conscious state. They were immediately rushed to a hospital.
Monica, a Class VIII student of Bapuji High School in the city, was severely injured. Her thumb was fractured in the incident. Monica has been admitted to a private hospital, where she is being operated upon.
“The incident happened because of the negligence of police, who failed to take precautionary measures. The doctors, treating Monica, have said that her thumb injuries may not heal completely. We are worried about her future,” said teary-eyed Basavaraj, Monica's uncle.
Tesi, a student of city-based Varadaraja Nursing?College, was injured in the thigh.?Doctors have put six stiches to cover the cut.
Kavya, a student of Bapuji High School, was hit by a pellet in the leg, causing a deep wound.
Radha, Lakshmi and Manikya from the same school escaped with minor injuries. Reshma from Varadaraja Nursing?College too was injured in the incident.
“This is a minor incident and the police department will bear the expenses of treatment,” said Central Range IGP Syed Ulfath Husain who was present at the spot. Later, he visited the injured in hospital.
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