By: K KamleshBUXAR: An 18-year-old bride was shot during her varmala ceremony in Chausa under Mufassil police station limits of Buxar district on Tuesday night. She is undergoing treatment on a ventilator at a hospital in Varanasi, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Mallah Tola in Chausa Nagar Panchayat. Aarti Kumari, daughter of Nandji Mallah, was on stage exchanging garlands with the groom when the attack took place. Eyewitnesses said a masked man suddenly climbed onto the stage and opened fire. The loud music at the venue initially masked the gunshot, but panic ensued when Aarti collapsed moments later. Guests noticed she was bleeding from her abdomen. She was first taken to Sadar Hospital in Buxar and later referred to Varanasi due to her critical condition. Doctors said she remains on ventilator support. Before being shifted, Aarti allegedly named the attacker, telling family members that “Dinbandhu shot me.” Family members alleged that the accused, identified as Deenbandhu, is a neighbour who was involved in a one-sided relationship with the victim. They claimed Aarti did not reciprocate his advances. Her marriage had been arranged with a man from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh. Locals said the accused had allegedly been pursuing Aarti for nearly two years. They further claimed that after her marriage was fixed earlier, he harassed the groom’s family, leading to the cancellation of a previous wedding arrangement. The accused’s father, Ramashankar Chaudhary, said he was unaware of any alleged relationship between his son and the victim. Police from Mufassil Police Station reached the spot and launched an investigation. Additional SHO Chandan Kumar said preliminary findings suggest the incident may be linked to a personal dispute. Raids are underway to arrest the absconding accused.