Kolkata, 18 April (H.S.) : Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Kolkata Police Special Task Force seized a cache of arms and ammunition near Rajabazar Science College in central Kolkata and detained one person, officials said on Saturday.

According to police, acting on suspicion, the Special Task Force intercepted a man carrying a bag near a bus stand. During the search, officers recovered six single-shot firearms and 14 cartridges from his possession.

Investigating agencies are trying to determine where the weapons were being taken and to whom they were meant to be delivered.

Security arrangements have been tightened across the state in view of the Assembly elections. Vehicle checking drives are being conducted at multiple locations, while barricading and surveillance have been intensified in sensitive areas.

In recent days, large amounts of cash have also been seized from Kolkata and neighbouring Howrah. On Friday, the South East Division of Kolkata Police recovered around Rs 25 lakh in cash from a vehicle during a checking drive in the Ballygunge Assembly constituency.

Earlier, the Railway Protection Force seized more than Rs 72 lakh in cash near Howrah station and detained two suspects. The recovery was made during a search operation near the Banaras Bridge area in the Howrah railway division.

Officials said monitoring and enforcement measures have been further strengthened to prevent the illegal movement of arms and cash ahead of the elections.

Polling for the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh