Phulbani: In a significant operation, police have recovered 8 country-made firearms from the forests of Kandhamal district.
Despite intensified patrolling by the police, the repeated recovery of desi (country-made) guns has sparked concern and debate across the district about how such weapons continue to be manufactured and supplied.
Acting on specific intelligence, Tumudibandh police conducted a raid in the Birimila forest area under Tumudibandh police station limits and seized the hidden firearms. This is not the first instance — earlier also, several country-made guns were recovered from the same Tumudibandh forest region.
However, police have so far failed to arrest any person in connection with these seizures. The weapons are believed to have been manufactured and kept for sale for illegal hunting of wild animals and other anti-social activities.
Tumudibandh police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify those involved in the manufacturing and supply of these illegal firearms. Senior officers have assured that efforts are underway to nab the culprits at the earliest.
Local residents have demanded stricter and more frequent police patrolling in the area to curb the menace of illegal arms manufacturing and wildlife poaching.
Police have assured that vigilance in the region will be further strengthened.