Deeply shaken by the incident, in which a woman died leaving behind two toddlers, locals said the tragedy has exposed the risks associated with the continued practice of firing shots during religious ceremonies.
“Devotion and peace are the reasons we attend these events. Why should firearms be part of them? There should be no place for weapons in such functions,” said a devotee present at the ceremony, adding that the incident had left people “shocked to the core”.
Residents said there is a long-standing tradition of carrying firearms during processions of local deities. As deities are taken from temples to event venues, some devotees fire shots in the air or use gunpowder to create loud sounds. Despite repeated advisories issued by the administration prohibiting such practices, these are often ignored in the name of tradition.
Locals pointed out that the risks associated with firearms in large gatherings have increased in recent years, particularly due to the reported prevalence of alcohol and substance use during such events. In such circumstances, the presence of loaded weapons in crowded spaces can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences.
Some residents suggested safer alternatives to preserve tradition without compromising safety. “Instead of carrying weapons, blank cartridges could be used to create sound. This would maintain tradition while ensuring the safety of devotees,” a local resident said.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of existing restrictions and a reassessment of practices that pose risks to public safety.
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