Empty ammo shells rain on Goa beach village

Panaji, Jan 23 (IANS) A day after several dozen spent high-calibre shell casings rained on the homes and streets of the popular beach village of Carmona in South Goa district, local police officials approached the district administration and Indian Navy officials for a meeting on the issue on Thursday.

On Wednesday, several dozen spent casings, believed to have been discharged from an Indian Navy firing range in nearby Cavelossim village, crashed through roofs and peppered the roads and yards in the Xiro ward of the peaceful beach village. Luckily, no injuries were reported as a result of the freak accident.

"We could hear guns blasting at the navy firing range nearby. The shells soon fell on our house. But if someone, say children, were injured who is to answer," a local resident Francis D'Costa told reporters.

Speaking to IANS on Thursday police inspector in-charge of the Colva police station Melson Colaco said that he had approached higher authorities for a meeting on the issue.

"I have been given an application by the local residents of Carmona complaining that during firing practice, empty cases fell on their homes. I will discuss matter with District Collector and Indian Navy," Colaco said.

When a comment was sought from an Indian Navy spokesperson, the official said that he would revert soon with a response.

This is not the first time that empty casings have fallen in the vicinity. In 2011, stray gunshots from the naval firing range hit several homes in Cavelossim village. No one was reported injured at the time.