Cop dies by his own AK47 at Bijapur police station

RAIPUR: A policeman died of a self-inflicted gunshot from his service rifle in Maoist-hit Bijapur district of Bastar division on Friday morning.

Head constable Sannu Hapka was rushed to hospital but he couldn’t be saved. Police suspect suicide but the reason is not known yet. The incident happened soon after he was rostered for a road-opening party (ROP).

Hapka was posted at Bhairamgarh police station, one of the worst Maoist-affected areas. Police said he was on leave on Aug 15 and was to proceed on ROP duty the next day. Just before they set out, he was issued an AK47. Around 9am, he was seen walking towards the mess located behind the police station. A little later, a shot was heard.

His colleagues ran to the mess and found him on the floor with a bullet wound on his chest and struggling to breathe. Hapka was taken to Bhairamgarh community health centre, barely 650metres away, where he was declared dead.

Since there was no one else at the spot, it’s not clear if Hapka shot himself or it was a case of accidental firing. Police are investigating the death.