Wedding video captures murder next door

Though they fled the scene, the video recording of a marriage party next to the parlour helped police identify the culprits. The victim8217;s cousin, who is also a salesman at the parlour, identified the culprits from the film in which the duo are seen with their guns.

Principal Secretary Home B K Mittal said the culprits would be arrested tonight or early Saturday morning. He added theGovernment was 8220;deeply concerned8221; over firing in marriages resulting in deaths, and was planning to review its decision to liberally grant firearm licences for self-defence.

Police say Mishra8217;s son Rakesh Kumar shot the attendant dead, and raided the houses of Mishra and Shukla, whose nephew Anil has been identified as the other man with a revolver.

In 1996-97 and 1997-98, the district administration had issued 655 and 1,055 firearm licences respectively. Another 1,823 licences were issued till March this year, under Chief Minister Kalyan Singh8217;s directive to arm civilians, especially traders, for self-defence.

Police say the revolvers used in the salesman8217;s murder were also licensed arms. Sources add that a large number of ministers, legislators and other politicians have applied for firearm licences.

In all, there are 27,000 licensed firearms in the district, of which 18,000 are in civilians8217; hands. Another 35,000 applications for gun licences are pending clearance.