KOCHI: Two cleaning workers of the city corporation were awe struck when they came across a cover containing two guns while cleaning a waste bin kept on the Deshabhimani road in the city on Friday morning.
The Police officials who rushed to the spot conducted a thorough scrutiny of the guns and came to a preliminary conclusion that one gun was a toy pistol and the other an air pistol. Later, the guns were shifted to Armed Reserve (AR) camp for further scrutiny.
AR Camp Deputy Commandant Bhaskaran said that the guns, which were brought to the camp, were thoroughly scrutinised and the preliminary reports point out that while one gun was a toy, the other was an air pistol.
“The guns will be sent to forensic laboratory for extensive analysis and a report from experts will be sought,” said a senior police official.
Meanwhile, the city police launched an extensive investigation into the incident as they suspect that the guns were purposefully dumped to divert the attention of the police.“The air pistol is an expensive one.
We are looking into the incident from various angles. Some body might have brought the guns as part of any plot and later dumped it fearing the police,” the police official said and added that the guns were presently under the custody of North police.
Security tightened across district
The police have strengthened security arrangements in view of the recovery of two pistols from a dustbin in Kochi.
Precautionary measures have been taken in view of the counting of votes and announcement of results on Saturday. SP P Vijayan has instructed all personnel to report for duty with immediate effect.
The leave sanctioned for them has been cancelled. About 50 areas especially in Narakkal, Paravoor, Vadakkekkara and Varapuzha station limits have been identified as sensitive areas. Patrolling in all station limits has been intensified. Apart from existing arrangements for patrolling, every police station will get two white patrol units (motor bikes) and mobile patrol (jeep) additionally.
People have been urged to alert Superintendent of Police (0484 – 2623550), Special Branch DySP) (2623540), Police Control (100) or any police station if suspicious movements are noticed.