Karnataka - Mangalore   

Illegal gun unit unearthed

Staff Correspondent

Links with naxalites will be probed, says police official

MANGALORE: An illegal gun-manufacturing unit was unearthed at Masalapura Hatti in Yemmedoddi village, about 20 km from Kadur in Chikmagalur district, in the early hours on Thursday. Five persons have been arrested in the connection.

A single barrel muzzle loading (SBML) gun and three barrels were seized, Kadur police said.

Inspector-General of Police (Western Range) K.S. Suresh Babu told presspersons here on Thursday that a team led by Circle Police Inspector A.G. Dharmaraj raided the house of a carpenter, Y.M. Manjappa (45), based on a tip-off and recovered an SBML gun and three barrels from him.

Based on information provided by Manjappa, the team raided five more houses in Yemmedoddi village and recovered as many weapons from the houses of K. Jadiyappa (50), Nanja Naik (48), Kerala Manja (32), Rama (48) and Harish Naik (35). Efforts were on to nab Harish, who managed to evade the police, Mr. Babu said.

According to preliminary investigation, Manjappa allegedly repaired a gun for a person a few years ago and his work was appreciated. Subsequently, he got into the habit of making guns on demand. He reportedly used steering rods of vehicles to make the barrels and used to charge Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 2,500 for a gun.

Mr. Babu said the police will find out whether the accused have sold any firearms to naxalites in the region. Efforts are also on to trace the person who gave his gun to Manjappa for repair. It is illegal for any person to own, manufacture, sell or purchase firearms without valid licence, Mr. Babu said. He urged those possessing firearms to renew their licences annually through their respective District Magistrates. Mr. Babu said the police team will be rewarded and issued letters of commendation.

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