We have information that most of these illegal guns were sourced from Bihar. But we are not getting any cooperation from Bihar police to bust the racket behind the illegal trade
Akhilesvar Singh, DCP
Cuttack: Smuggling of firearms into the Silver City has become rampant in recent days with police seizing altogether five guns, including one China-made, in the last couple of months.
It is learnt that anti-social elements are committing crimes like murder, robbery, drug peddling and extortion by sourcing guns illegally from various places.
The Commissionerate Police (CP) has failed to check the illegal trade even though it arrested several persons on charges of possessing illegal guns, it is observed.
A trader was shot dead in Pithapur area under Purighat police limits September 23. Police arrested Ajit Jena of the locality in connection with the murder and seized a gun from his possession. Jena admitted that he had sourced the gun illegally to terrorise people, sources said.
Similarly, Malgodown police seized a China-made gun from Sunil Kumar Nayak of Jobra area when the latter was moving suspiciously September 21. Police arrested Nayak and found that he was involved in drug peddling.
In another incident, police seized an illegal gun from a robbery accused, Anil Kumar Behera, August 17. He tried to escape by firing at police. However, he was caught in a police encounter.
Besides, Jagatpur police busted a gang of robbers in the first week of August and seized an illegal gun and four bullets from the arrested. Kandarpur police also seized a gun from two persons who were on their way to the city from Paradip in a car in August.
According to sources, most of the illegal firearms seized in the city were sourced from Bihar. Some middlemen are supplying guns to criminals after procuring them from the northern state. Trains and inter-state buses have become conduits for arms smuggling into the city.
“Police have failed to bust the gun smuggling racket. They should launch a drive and reach the root of illegal firearm business,” said an intellectual.
City Deputy Commissioner of Police Akhilesvar Singh said they are leaving no stone unturned to arrest the firearm smugglers. “We have information that most of these illegal guns were sourced from Bihar. But we are not getting any cooperation from Bihar police to bust the racket behind the illegal trade,” he added.