It was around 11:15 on Sunday, 21st June 2009, eyes of the whole nation were glued to the television screen as Pakistan lifted Twenty 20 World Cup 2009 Trophy. It will be remembered as one of the most glorious days in the history of Pakistan. However, it’s sad that no one would remember the tragedy which struck at the same time as the result of that victory.
Cricket is not just a sport for the people of Pakistan. It’s some thing that they thrive on spiritually. Being a part of a country where people cannot afford even the basic necessities of life, cricket is but their most beloved source of recreation and pride. However, our nation has a tendency to take every thing overboard. Same is with the expression of happiness. Therefore, right at the same moment as the trophy was lifted the streets of Karachi were filled with the echoes of massive aerial firing which lasted about half an hour. For many families, this converted the happy moment in to the most tragic moment of their lives. Following is the result of that aerial firing as reported by The News:
"Four people, including three minors, were killed after unidentified miscreants resorted to aerial firing in different parts of the city following the Pakistani cricket team victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in London."
Many people do not understand that how aerial firing can result in killings. Here is a little explanation for them:
"Researchers report that a bullet fired into the air can climb two miles into the air and remain in flight for more than a minute. As it falls, the bullet reaches a velocity of 300 to 700 feet per second. A velocity of only 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull."
Knowingly firing when one knows what it could result in, can easily qualify it as murder in first degree.
THIS MUST END! We need to behave as responsible citizens. We need to realize that our actions have consequences.
Year after year, so many lives are lost from stray bullets, yet our government has not done enough to stop this monstrous celebration ritual. Sindh police has taken some measures like organizers of any event where aerial firing takes place could be charged. Also, citizens have been urged to call Madadgar-15 or a nearby police station about firing incidents on such occasions. So you too as a citizen can take some action.
A more successful campaign was run last year by LA police department to reduce the deaths by stray bullets on the New Years Eve. Its details can be found on LAPD blog:
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2008/12/new-years-eve-citywide-gunfire-reduction-campaign.html
We need to create more awareness about this issue and make people realize that "WHAT GOES UP WILL COME DOWN."
Cricket is not just a sport for the people of Pakistan. It’s some thing that they thrive on spiritually. Being a part of a country where people cannot afford even the basic necessities of life, cricket is but their most beloved source of recreation and pride. However, our nation has a tendency to take every thing overboard. Same is with the expression of happiness. Therefore, right at the same moment as the trophy was lifted the streets of Karachi were filled with the echoes of massive aerial firing which lasted about half an hour. For many families, this converted the happy moment in to the most tragic moment of their lives. Following is the result of that aerial firing as reported by The News:
"Four people, including three minors, were killed after unidentified miscreants resorted to aerial firing in different parts of the city following the Pakistani cricket team victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in London."
Many people do not understand that how aerial firing can result in killings. Here is a little explanation for them:
"Researchers report that a bullet fired into the air can climb two miles into the air and remain in flight for more than a minute. As it falls, the bullet reaches a velocity of 300 to 700 feet per second. A velocity of only 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull."
Knowingly firing when one knows what it could result in, can easily qualify it as murder in first degree.
THIS MUST END! We need to behave as responsible citizens. We need to realize that our actions have consequences.
Year after year, so many lives are lost from stray bullets, yet our government has not done enough to stop this monstrous celebration ritual. Sindh police has taken some measures like organizers of any event where aerial firing takes place could be charged. Also, citizens have been urged to call Madadgar-15 or a nearby police station about firing incidents on such occasions. So you too as a citizen can take some action.
A more successful campaign was run last year by LA police department to reduce the deaths by stray bullets on the New Years Eve. Its details can be found on LAPD blog:
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/
We need to create more awareness about this issue and make people realize that "WHAT GOES UP WILL COME DOWN."
Peace out!
Live Responsibly!
References:
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/
June 24, 2009 at 12:14 AM
I completely agree with this as I know a family who is victim of such incident. They have lost their only son in one of such aerial firing in a marriage ceremony. This must be stop now.
June 24, 2009 at 12:23 AM
The problem is, we refuse to be reponsible people. In the name of fun, celebration, good time - we don't stop and ask ourselevs whether what we are about to do could harm anyone, even if the chances were negligible.
Yes, we need strict laws and an even more strict implementation of those laws to stop something like this from happening as often as it does.
July 12, 2009 at 10:40 PM
"I would have been killed or perhaps injured by one of such cases when I was 9 years old. There was a bullet shell Tearing through the 'teen ki chaat' of our old house and right through a school notebook I was writing on.I find it so obnoxious when I hear my cousins making gun shots whenever a nikah takes place in our family. Its just so damn crazy! Period", HIra Bashir