During Diwali in Madhya Pradesh, a major accident involving a country-made “carbide gun”, 122 children got injured and 14 lost their eyesight in three days. “Firecracker Gun Challenge” viral on social media became a threat, police took action.
Every Diwali, new trends of firecrackers are seen in the markets, somewhere Chakri and somewhere rocket, but this time the trend has become deadly. In many districts of Madhya Pradesh, something called “carbide gun” or “desi firecracker gun” has become the new Diwali hobby among children and youth, which is now causing death and disability.
122 children admitted to hospital in three days, 14 lost eyesight
According to reports from different parts of Madhya Pradesh, more than 122 children have been admitted to hospitals with serious eye injuries in the last three days. Of these, 14 children have completely lost their eyesight. The most affected district was Vidisha, where these country-made guns were being sold openly, even though the government had banned it on October 18 itself.
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Dangerous game of indigenous “Carbide Gun”
This desi gun, sold for Rs 150 to 200, looks like a toy, but explodes like a bomb. Children fill a plastic or tin pipe with gunpowder, matchstick ends and calcium carbide and fire the “gun” by setting it on fire. The hot gas and metal fragments released during the explosion directly hit the face and eyes.
17-year-old Neha from Bhopal, who is now admitted in Hamidia Hospital, said –
“We had bought this country-made gun, as soon as it was lit it exploded and my eyes got burnt. Now I am unable to see anything.”
Similarly, a teenager named Raj Vishwakarma told that after watching a video on social media, he made such a gun at home, which exploded on his face and he lost one eye.
Police action and doctors’ warning
Vidisha Police has so far arrested 6 people in this case, who were selling these guns. Inspector R.K. Mishra said,
“Strict action will be taken against those selling or promoting these indigenous carbide guns.”
The eye wards in the hospitals of Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior are filled with children. In Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital alone, 26 children have been admitted in 72 hours.
Dr. Manish Sharma (CMHO, Hamidia Hospital) said,
“This is not a toy, but an explosive device. It bursts the pupils of the eyes and can cause permanent blindness.”
Social media has become a new den of danger
Police and doctors say that the videos of “Firecracker Gun Challenge” going viral on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are promoting this dangerous trend. In the video, teenagers are seen firing these guns, which is getting thousands of views and likes, but the result is creating lifelong darkness.
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