Rourkela: A 33-year-old man was arrested by Gurundia police in Sundargarh district on Tuesday for allegedly injuring his friend after a shot fired during an illegal wild boar hunt accidentally struck him in a forest under Bonai subdivision.Police identified the accused as Samir Lomga (33) of Tukuda village under Sole panchayat in Gurundia police limits. Another accused, Gobind Kujur, who was allegedly carrying a country-made gun during the hunt, is absconding. Police have launched a search to trace him.According to police, Samir, Gobind and their friend Anil Dang (33), all residents of Tukuda village, had gone to Dungla Tunguri hill in the Asurkuti forest area on Sunday to hunt wild boar. Samir and Gobind were carrying country-made firearms.While searching for wild boar in the forest, the trio reportedly spotted an animal at a distance. As Samir prepared to fire, Anil was positioned behind nearby bushes. The bullet fired by Samir allegedly missed the target and struck Anil in his right thigh.Anil collapsed after sustaining grievous injuries, while the wild boar escaped. Samir and Gobind rushed to his aid and arranged for an ambulance. The injured man was taken to a private hospital in Rourkela, where he was admitted for treatment.The incident came to light after Brahmani Tarang police received a medico-legal case (MLC) report from the hospital regarding a gunshot injury. After conducting a preliminary inquiry, Brahmani Tarang police informed Gurundia police, whose officers visited the hospital and recorded Anil’s statement.During questioning, Anil allegedly identified Samir and Gobind and informed police about their possession of illegal firearms. Police said the bullet was surgically removed from Anil’s thigh and his condition is stable.Acting on the information, Gurundia police arrested Samir on Tuesday morning. During interrogation, he allegedly revealed that he and Gobind had hidden the firearms in the forest. Police later recovered and seized two country-made guns from the spot.Samir has been booked for possession of illegal firearms and for causing injuries through gunfire. Efforts are underway to arrest Gobind.“We have arrested one accused and are searching for the other, who is absconding. We have seized two country-made guns that they possessed illegally,” said H K Behera, sub-inspector of Gurundia police station.
