Bhubaneswar: Bargarh police arrested five pistol traders near Zeera bridge under Town police limits, which includes a golgappa seller from Bihar, said SP Prahlad Sahai Meena. Police seized five country-made pistols, 34 rounds of ammunition and 10 pistol magazines from them. The accused, Rajesh Choudhari (30) from Bihar, currently staying at Dhipapada under Sohela police limits in Bargarh, used to sell golgappa.Along with another accused, Rajdeep Choudhari (30), also from Bihar, currently staying in Barpali used to supply guns through the other accused arrested by police.
The others are Sudhanshu Mugri (29) and Bedabyash Pradhan (27) of Bargarh, and Pramod Tandia (29) is from Sambalpur. Police, on a tip-off, went to the crematorium near the Zeera river Sunday to nab the gang who gathered there to plan a robbery. Police also seized two iron rods, four packets of chilli powder, a torchlight, a bamboo lathi, five face masks, three knives, and three two-wheelers, along with their mobile phones and some cash.
Sources in police said the gang was involved in gun dealing for the last two months. The two accused from Bihar were bringing the firearms on their motorcycles or by train to supply them through Bedabyas Pradhan. They already sold some arms, procuring Rs 50,000 each and selling them for Rs 65,000 to Rs 70,000.
Prahlad said, "The gang has no robbery or dacoity criminal antecedents. They were only engaged in gun dealing. The two accused from Bihar are the main suppliers." IG (Northern) Himanshu Kumar Lal told TOI, "We want to reach the source of weapon suppliers. Two of the gang members are from Bihar. They were dealing in arms."