Berhampur: Aska police on Thursday arrested the President of Congress' OBC Cell in Ganjam district, Amir Bhuyan for his alleged involvement in an illegal arms trafficking racket.
As per reports, Bhuyan who is said to have close associations with Congress party leaders was apprehended by the police from Khairaputi village under Aska police limits late on Wednesday night while he was en route to Bhubaneswar in his SUV. Upon searching his vehicle, police recovered two firearms loaded with ammunitions from his possession.
The police said there was concrete information that Bhuyan was indulged in illegal arms trade. He was supplying arms and ammunitions to criminals of Ganjam district. As per the order of the SP of Ganjam, he was put under a close watch.
"He was under surveillance since last six months. In the intervening night of March 31 and April 1, 2021 at 03.00 AM, information was received that the said arm trader is coming in his SUV from Gangapur towards Aska. The police swung into action and conducted extensive blocking. Finally he was caught at Pakalapalli gate of Aska," the police said in a statement.
During the search, one loaded pistol found from his waist while another loaded pistol was found from the boot of the SUV, the statement added.
"It is learnt that he is involved in arms trade since long. The involvement of others is under scrutiny. Police on duty are yet to unearth the details of the deal," the statement further stated.
Speaking about the case, the Additional SP of Ganjam, Thakur Prasad Patra said, "Bhuyan's name had cropped up while investigating a previous case in which eight suspects were arrested and 10 firearms were recovered from them. Bhuyan is a realtor working at Sunderpada in Bhubaneswar."
Bhuyan, however, refuted all the allegations and feigned ignorance about the presence of fire arms in his vehicle, "I do not know how these ended up in my car. It might have dropped by one of my friends."
"I never committed any crime ever. Let the police investigate the matter. If found guilty, I will face action as per the constitution," Bhuyan added.
(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)