Chandigarh, May 2 (IANS) An inter-state gang dealing in illegal weapons was busted with the arrest of 15 people, including seven constables, Punjab Police said Monday. The arms were produced in illicit factories in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
According to the police, the accused were arrested after a raid were conducted at Mansa district.
‘This gang was selling the weapons to gullible customers in different parts of Punjab. These weapons look like foreign-made arms. There were stamps and emblems of renowned armament factories on these weapons and they were sold as genuine arms,’ Punjab Police chief P.S. Gill said.
‘So far, we have recovered 270 pistols and about 6,000 cartridges. We have arrested 15 people but still 14 people of this gang are absconding. Till date, this gang has sold around 4,000 illegal weapons in Punjab and other states,’ said Gill.
Gill said the gang was also supplying weapons to Maoists.
‘They were also supplying arms to Maoists and leftist activists. Therefore, we have written to home affairs ministry so that we can tie up with some central investigation agency to probe this case further. This will help us to conduct raids in other states also,’ he added.
According to police, this gang was buying arms at Rs.35,000 per weapon and were selling them for Rs.100,000 each after preparing forged documents and bills.
‘After a thorough verification of various arms and ammunition dealers’ records, huge quantity of illegal arms are expected to be recovered in the coming days,’ Gill said.
Gill also said that it has come to their notice that cartridges have also been missing from the stocks of Punjab Police.
‘Such cases have come to our notice and we have ordered an overall audit of our stocks. We are looking into this matter. According to our information, a Punjab dealer gets a cartridge for Rs.8 and sells it to dealers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for Rs.30 who further sell them for Rs.45 per cartridge,’ stated Gill.
