Illegal arms trading is continuing unabated in the district here for last one year with full knowledge of police administration, as the offenders easily escape arrest most often.
Many things are now coming to light after three interstate criminals and two arms buyers were arrested recently. Even then, more than a dozen such criminals are absconding to avoid arrest. The negligence of police in bringing all the offenders to book can be attributed to the flourishing arms trade in the district.
Generally, after procuring from Ranchi and Munger areas of Bihar, these criminals sell illegal pistols to buyers in the district of Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Sundargarh. The police could seize only four such pistols, while 20 such buyers are yet to be located.
The industry -rich Jharsuguda district is very close to the border areas of Bihar and Jharkhand and well connected by Howrah Mumbai rail link, which gives opportunity to these offenders to escape easily after committing offence in the district. On December 16 night, getting information, Jharsuguda police team raided some vulnerable points in the town and arrested Sanjay Kumar Singh of Bindgaon under Budhna police limits, Dillip Kumar Soni of Bhurkunda village under Bhurkunda Police Station in Ramgarh district (Jharkhand) and Malaya Mistri alias
Nepal of Ekatali, Jharsuguda on the spot. later, police arrested Muna Khadanga of Muladeipru Sasan under Polasara Police Station, Ganjam and Mrutunjay Pal of Ramgarh, Baripada both staying at BTM Colony, Jharsuguda. Three pistols with nine live cartridges were seized from the possession of Sanjay, Dillip and Nepal. Another pistol with two live cartridges were seized from Mrutunjay Pal. Besides, police also seized four blank magazines, one TVS Suzuki motor cycle (OD23B4256), four mobile phones and Rs 6,300 cash from their possession.
The police team comprised IIC KS Nayak, SI Suresh Sahoo and Rabisankar Vainsha.