Berhampur, Odisha:
An illegal gun manufacturing unit was unearthed and a man arrested at Kerkerabadi village in poll-bound Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency of Odisha, the police said today.
Three country-made guns and some other equipment were seized from Digamber Pradhan whom the police arrested yesterday suspecting him to be the owner of the unit.
"Though Pradhan denied the charge, we suspect he manufactured guns and supplied them in nearby areas," said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Baliguda) S N Murmu.
Three more country-made guns were seized from three persons at Jidangamala near Kerkerabadi, he said adding the three were identified as Budhadeb Pradhan, Harish Pradhan and Ranjit Pradhan.
"In view of the October 15 by-election, we have launched a special drive against illegal possession of firearms, narcotics and liquor," said Kandhamal Superintendent of Police, K V Singh.
The Police have so far seized 13 country-made guns from different places in the district. Three rifles and a revolver were seized from Bodasinghi forest along Kandhmal-Boudh border
on September 21 after an exchange of fire between security forces and the Maoists, the SP said.
"People have been asked to deposit their licensed guns with us," he added.