The Commissionerate police on Wednesday arrested two hardcore criminals involved in illegal firearms trade following raids at different locations in Bhubaneswar. The accused were identified as Suraj Parida and Tapudhar Nayak. Five semi-automatic pistols, 24 rounds of live ammunition, mobile phones and magazines were recovered from the possession of the accused after the raids at several areas including the Tamando and Hanspal areas, said Commissioner of Police Sanjeeb Panda. According to Panda, a massive drive has already been launched by the Commissionerate police keeping in view the upcoming elections in the State. Special drives are being conducted and special focus is being given to busting illegal firearms rackets. Ahead of the 2024 elections, the special teams of Commissionerate police are conducting raids and keeping surveillance on illegal firearms trade in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. We have got some information regarding the source of procurement of the weapons. Soon more information will be ascertained after getting the accused on remand, said Panda. According to Panda, the Commissionerate police had seized 38 firearms from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in 2023 and already, 17 firearms have been seized so far in 2024.

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