PHULBANI: An illegal gun making racket has been unearthed at Kerkebadi village under Daringbadi police limits and six country made guns seized. The unit was apparently functioning from the house of a villager for the last several months.
Kandhamal SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said, on a tip off that the illegal gun making racket was operating in the village, Daringbadi police raided the house of one Digambar Pradhan (37). Three country made single barrel guns, the wooden body of a gun, three iron pipes that were to be used as barrels and a piece of iron were seized from the backyard of his house.
Following further investigation, police arrested three others - Harisha Chandra Pradhan (40), Budhadeba Pradhan (36) and Ranjit Pradhan of the neighbouring Jiningimala village and seized three country made single barrel guns from their possession.
Police suspect that the three had purchased the guns from Digambar. Criminal cases have been registered against the four and police produced them in JMFC Court at Daringbadi on Tuesday. The court remanded them in judicial custody after rejecting their bail applications.
Security for bypoll
Meanwhile, security forces have been put on high alert ahead of the Kandhamal bypoll that would be held on October 15. Counting of votes will take place on October 19. The SP said heavy security bandobust is being made to ensure that the bypoll is held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. “We will continue to hold more such raids in the district in wake of the ensuing Kandhamal bypolls,” the SP said.
As the constituency is under Maoist radar, special security plans have been drawn up. To counter Maoist threats, additional forces would be deployed at each booth. The SPs of the bordering district of Kandhamal have been asked to keep a strict vigil on the movement of Left wing ultras.
Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency comprising seven Assembly segments, is spread over four districts - Boudh, Kandhamal, Nayagarh and Ganjam.