Jabalpur, Apr 19 (PTI) Police have arrested a man for allegedly firing into the air during the birthday celebration of Congress MLA Lakhan Ghangoria’s brother in Jabalpur city, triggering a protest by the opposition party.

According to the police, one Assu Khan, whom they called an offender, fired five to six rounds into the air during the birthday event on Friday.

Congress workers staged a protest from 11 pm on Friday to 3 am on Saturday at Kotwali police station, alleging that the action against Khan was taken following pressure from the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh.

They claimed that such action had been taken against leaders of NSUI, the party’s student wing, in Jabalpur to bully them.

Khan was arrested for the celebratory firing at the birthday party of Congress MLA Lakhan Ghanghoria’s brother, Additional Superintendent of Police Anand Kaladagi told reporters.

A viral video shows the accused firing 5-6 rounds from his licensed pistol at the party, the official said, adding that Khan faces four cases, he said.

Khan has been booked under section 170 (arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Arms Act, Kaladagi said.

“We protested because the police took action against Khan under the BJP’s pressure. He should have been booked for negligence. He has a licensed firearm,” MLA Ghangoria, a former state minister, told PTI over the phone when contacted for his comment.

Congress workers and leaders, especially of NSUI, are being tormented and unfairly prosecuted in Jabalpur, he said. “We protested over the excesses,” he added. PTI COR LAL NR