Murshidabad, 22 August (H.S.): Police conducted two separate operations in Murshidabad district on Friday night and recovered a large quantity of illegal firearms and ammunition. According to police, a total of 10 firearms, 11 magazines and 226 rounds of live ammunition were seized from the Berhampore and Shaktipur police station areas. Three people were arrested in connection with the two cases.

The first operation was carried out by Berhampore Police based on a tip-off. Following the questioning of Papai Ghosh, president of the Berhampore city youth wing of the Trinamool Congress, who was already in police custody, officers searched his residence. During the search, police allegedly recovered seven illegal firearms, five magazines and 186 rounds of live ammunition.

The recovery of such a large quantity of firearms and ammunition from the residence of a ruling party leader has created considerable activity in the area. Police are investigating where the weapons were allegedly intended to be transported and whether others were involved in the matter.

Arms Seized in Shaktipur

In a separate operation in the Shaktipur police station area, police initially arrested one suspect and questioned him. Based on information obtained during interrogation, officers identified two more suspects and subsequently arrested them on a state highway in the Bazarsau area.

Police said three firearms, six magazines and 40 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the arrested suspects.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the two suspects had allegedly brought the firearms from Munger in Bihar. They reportedly reached Bazarsau station in the morning via Azimganj. According to police, they allegedly planned to cross Ramnagar Ghat and travel through Palashi and Berhampore towards Jalangi by trekker. However, they were intercepted while walking along the state highway from Bazarsau station towards Ramnagar.

Police are now investigating who else may be involved in the alleged arms trafficking network and where the firearms were intended to be delivered. Investigators are also examining the possibility of a larger arms supply operation or criminal conspiracy in the district.

Police are questioning the arrested persons to trace the source of the firearms, identify potential recipients and establish the wider network involved in the cases.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey