MUZAFFARNAGAR: As the Uttar Pradesh civic body election approaches, the state police have launched a crackdown on illegal weapons suppliers. Raids in various districts of west UP, including Muzaffarnagar and Aligarh, have led to the busting of several illegal weapons-making units and the seizure of a large cache of weapons, including country-made pistols and double-barrel guns.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents and investigations are ongoing, said police.
One of the suspects, Narendra Sharma, a welder by profession, was arrested in Haryana, and a subsequent inquiry led to the discovery of an illegal weapons-making unit in Aligarh, said SP (city) Aligarh Kuldeep Gunawat.
In another incident, police in Muzaffarnagar arrested a man red-handed in a closed jaggery unit, where he was found making illegal weapons.
“The accused, Masroof, had a criminal history and admitted to selling the guns for 4-5 thousand rupees,” said SP (rural) Atul Kumar Srivastava.
Police in Meerut also arrested two men with dozens of illegal weapons.
With the demand for quality illegal weapons on the rise, the police are increasing their efforts to curb the illegal arms trade in the state, especially with the upcoming election.