BHUBANESWAR: Bhubaneswar police on Thursday arrested an arms dealer and seized two semi-automatic pistols, 10 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines from his possession.
The accused was identified as Amaresh Rout (28) alias Kanha of Sundarpada. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Crime Unit (SCU) nabbed Rout along with the weapons in the afternoon.
Police said he was also involved in the murder of a Rama Devi Women’s University student in Bhubaneswar in 2021. After killing the girl, Rout, along with the main conspirator, had disposed of her body in Jajpur.
After walking out of jail two years back, he allegedly engaged in illegal arms trade. During interrogation after his arrest on the day, Rout revealed before police that he used to procure guns from Gujarat with each costing Rs 30,000 to Rs 32,000. He sold the weapons to different anti-socials here for Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000, the cops said adding, they are verifying Rout’s claims.
“We request people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or contact the SCU on landline number 0674-2916383 between 10 am and 8 pm. The informants’ identities will strictly be kept confidential,” said the unit’s in-charge Anup Kanungo. He asserted that the SCU is committed to dismantle the criminal networks and hold the perpetrators accountable.