Daijiworld Media Network – Raisen
Raisen, Feb 17: Panic gripped the Forest Department’s Amravad Nursery in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district on Tuesday afternoon after a former employee allegedly opened fire at the premises, injuring two staff members before fleeing into a nearby forest. He was later found hanging from a tree, police said.
The accused has been identified as Puran alias Gudda Lodhi, who had reportedly been dismissed from the nursery three to four years ago.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Kumar Kharpuse, the incident occurred around 1.15 pm in Vankhedi village, about 13 km from Raisen headquarters. Puran allegedly reached the nursery and, following an altercation, fired multiple rounds from a country-made pistol.
Deputy Ranger Rakesh Sharma sustained a bullet injury to his back and was rushed to Raisen District Hospital before being referred to Bhopal due to the severity of his condition. Speaking from the hospital, Sharma said there had been no recent dispute and that the accused had earlier worked at the nursery but was removed for misconduct.
A woman worker, identified as Suman Bai, was also shot in the back. The bullet reportedly passed through her body. She remains in serious condition and has been referred to Bhopal for advanced treatment.
Another employee, Dalchand, narrowly escaped after the accused allegedly pointed the firearm at him. Amid the chaos, the assailant fled towards the forest.
A short while later, Puran’s body was discovered hanging from a tree near the crime scene. Police suspect suicide, though further investigation is underway.
The weapon used in the attack has been seized, and forensic evidence is being collected. Preliminary findings indicate a possible personal grudge linked to his earlier dismissal.
In a related development, sources said that when Deputy Ranger Sharma was referred to Bhopal, no government ambulance was reportedly available at the district hospital, and he had to be transported in a private ambulance.
Police have registered a case and are continuing their probe into the incident.