Agartala, September 7:
Two persons from Bihar were arrested in Agartala after police and Assam Rifles jointly recovered two 9mm pistols, three magazines and eight rounds of ammunition from their possession during a late-night operation, raising security concerns as Tripura prepares for the crucial Village Committee elections under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Speaking to reporters, NCC Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Subrata Barman said the joint operation was conducted by the NCC Police Station and Assam Rifles in the Shalbagan area on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday following specific intelligence inputs.
According to Barman, the two suspects were intercepted while travelling from Dumdumia towards Shalbagan. During a search, security personnel recovered two 9mm pistols, three magazines and eight rounds of ammunition from their possession.
The arms and ammunition were seized in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, following which a case was registered at the NCC Police Station.
The arrested persons told police during preliminary questioning that they had come to Tripura from Bihar for business purposes. However, police have not yet established why they were carrying firearms or whether they had any connection with criminal or other activities in the state.
Barman said both accused would be produced before the competent court on Monday, with police seeking five days’ remand for further interrogation.
“Thorough interrogation will be continued,” the SDPO said, adding that police were also examining the previous records of the two men.
He said no specific information had so far emerged regarding their earlier involvement in any case. Police have accordingly circulated their details to police stations to verify whether they have any previous criminal records.
The recovery comes at a sensitive time in Tripura, with the state gearing up for the September 28 Village Committee elections under the TTAADC. The polls are expected to carry significant political and security implications, particularly in the tribal areas where political competition has intensified ahead of the election.
Police are now investigating the source and intended purpose of the firearms and whether the arrested men have any wider links in Tripura. The outcome of their interrogation and verification of their criminal history is expected to provide further clues.
