Sambalpur: Sambalpur Police Crack Down on Illegal Gun Manufacturing; Seize 22 Illegal Guns, Arrest 3 Suspects

Sambalpur: In a major raid, the Sambalpur Police has achieved a major breakthrough by seizing 22 illegally manufactured guns and arresting three persons involved in the undercover operation. Accused Ganesh Singh and Arun Bhoi of Badarama area Jamankira police station and Bidyadhar Pradhan of Basupali village of Jujumura police station set up secret gun-making factories.

Acting on a tip-off, the police raided a closed factory in the forest and conducted an operation there. Despite Pradhan trying to escape, the officers managed to catch him. The search yielded 22 guns, including 21 single-barreled and one double-barreled firearm, along with a large quantity of gun-making materials.

Among the seized items are three gun barrels, four bagels (an ingredient used in making guns), iron pipes, steering wheels, seven bottles of gunpowder, two oil bottles, 300 knives, and various other items. Apparently, this was no small operation.

According to the police, the accused used to sell these illegal weapons to local residents at low prices, mainly to meet the demand of hunters. Their operating model comprised charging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 to turn readily available components such as iron pipes and car parts into functioning weapons. The secret gun factory had been operational for almost two years.

Officials have registered a case against the three accused at Jamankira and Jujumura police stations, as all have previous criminal records. In the last year, three elephants have been reported dead in the Jamankira region alone, leading to an increase in illegal poaching in the area. In one case, the body of an elephant with bullet wounds was discovered, increasing suspicions that the illegally made gun was used for ponding.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Sambalpur Superintendent of Police made it clear that the police would take an aggressive stance against such immoral actions.