Hunter dies as gun goes off

TT, Gangtok, Jan. 13: A 30-year-old man who was on a mission to hunt a leopard was killed in a West Sikkim village last night when a gun he was carrying reportedly went off accidentally.

One person has been arrested in connection with the incident. Santa Bir Subba, a resident of Chota Samdong, had borrowed a single barrel country-made licensed gun from a friend to hunt a leopard, which had killed his goat recently.

The village is almost 95km from here.

Police said, around 10.30 last night, Subba, a farmer, slipped on the banks of the Rothak river while crossing it and the gun went off. A bullet pierced through his neck and he died on the spot.

Harkaman Limbo, 47, who was accompanying Subba, informed the local people who later called the police.

"The family members of the victim have said the man was apparently looking for a leopard which had killed his goat the night before. He (Subba) had borrowed the gun from one of his friends and he went to hunt for the leopard in the nearby forest," said West district police superintendent, Hari Chettri.

The police have recovered the gun. Limbo, a farmer, has been arrested and booked under the Arms Act.

"The arrested person would also be booked under the Forest Act if the body of any animal is found near the spot as hunting is illegal," said a police source.