Accident: A man has been charged with reckless endangerment after a sangdha (arrow trap) he planted injured another man.

Shamdu Tamang, a 49-year-old  man from Phunsumgang village, Goserling gewog in Tsirang was injured on his right thigh by the arrow trap on Janurary 9.

The trap had been planted by Ugyen Dorji, a 55-year old farmer of the same village.

An investigation by the Tsirang Police found that the victim, who is also deaf-mute, was heading to attend a puja at neighbour’s house via a short cut when he was injured.

“The victim was hit by a sangdha but he managed to go to the neighbour’s place where the puja was taking place,” a police official said.

Upon inquiry police found that the man had managed to reach the neighbour’s house where the puja was taking place and a villager observed blood on the victim’s leg. The victim was immediately taken to Damphu hospital where he was kept for observation overnight. The victim was discharged the next day.

In his statement to the police, the owner of the arrow trap, Ugyen Dorji stated that he planted the trap around his field to protect his vegetables from wild animals.

Police found that there was no poison attached to the arrow.

The incident was reported to the police by the victim’s brother.

The police have charged Ugyen Dorji with reckless endangerment. Chapter 12 section 160 of the Penal Code states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offense of reckless endangerment, if the defendant’s reckless conduct including laying of sangdha places another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

The offense of reckless endangerment is a petty misdemeanor.

Ugyen Dorji has been released on surety. This is the first case of a sangdha injury in Tsirang this year.

Yeshey Dema, Tsirang