Malkangiri: A dispute over the payment of a ₹140 electricity bill led to the unearthing of an alleged illegal firearm manufacturing unit in Malkangiri district, resulting in the arrest of a man who allegedly threatened a power distribution employee with a loaded gun.
The incident took place at Nilimariguda village, about six kilometres from Malkangiri police station.
According to police, electricity department employee Deepak Biswas had visited the residence of Anukul Nayak to collect the outstanding electricity bill when the confrontation took a violent turn.
Instead of clearing the dues, the accused allegedly threatened the employee and attempted to attack him with a sharp weapon. He then reportedly produced a firearm and threatened to shoot the electricity worker. Fearing for his life, Biswas fled the spot and lodged a complaint with Malkangiri police.
Acting on the complaint, a police team led by Inspector-in-Charge Rigan Kindo raided the accused’s house. During the search, police recovered a firearm along with materials allegedly used for manufacturing country-made guns and ammunition. The accused was taken into custody.
Police said the seized firearm was found to be loaded. A test firing was subsequently conducted by police personnel after the weapon was secured to verify its functionality. No untoward incident was reported during the operation.
The recovery has raised concerns as the alleged illegal arms manufacturing activity was operating in close proximity to the district headquarters and only a few kilometres from the local police station. Investigators are now probing the source of the firearm components, the scale of the operation and whether others were involved in the alleged manufacturing and supply of illegal weapons.
The incident has also triggered discussions over the emergence of illegal firearms despite the significant decline in Left Wing Extremism in the district in recent years. Police said the accused is being interrogated and will be produced before a court. Further investigation is underway.
