Siliguri cops arrest six with arms

SNS, SILIGURI, 7 DECEMBER: In a significant development, the Siliguri Metropolitan Police (SMP) arrested atleast six miscreants and recovered improvised firearms and ammunition from their possession during a surprise naka-check at various entry and exit points of the town last night.

It is suspected that the accused persons were planning to go to CoochBehar. However, police officers did not corroborate it.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, East, Zone- I Gaurav said three persons were arrested with arms and ammunition under the zone.

'Police arrested three persons-Surajit Banerjee alias Bara Bhim, and Md Zahangir, with an improvised pipe gun and alive cartridge from Jalpai more, while another person Kajal Barman was arrested from Bandhunagar area, and one improvised gun and alive ammunition were recovered tram his possession. This apart, some vehicles were seized under the Motor Vehicles Act: Mr Lal said.

Police said the arrested persons were wanted in some cases. Among other cases, charges have been framed aginst Mr Banerjee in a case of murder of a trader of Mahbirsthan last year.

Police said one Raju Roy was arrested from a place under the Pradhan Nagar police station. One improvised gun and three round live cartridges were found from them.

'Two residents of Chapra in Bihar, Laddu Roy and Dinesh Roy, were arrested from Bagdogra area, and one improvised gun was recovered from them: a police officer said.

"Police have started investigations to ascertain their motives. We are also trying to verify whether they were trying to go to CoochBehar to fuel tension there" said a police officer.

BJP leaders said they were not aware of the development. Some leaders claimed that many of their activists were not allowed to go to Coach Behar in vehicles.