Illicit arms factory unearthed, six detained

Bhopal, Jan 11 (UNI) An illegal arms factory manufacturing bombs and spares of firearms was today unearthed at Satnami Nagar in Piplani area near the BHEL factory here and six persons, including a woman, arrested, police said today.

''After police carried out investigation following a tip-off, a man was stopped when he was coming out of the factory but he snatched the revolver of a sub-inspector and opened fire. However, no untoward incident took place,'' Additional Superintendent of Police S K Raut said.

After being arrested, the man took police to his Kalpana Nagar-residence where naxal literature, weapons manufacturing guide and other important documents were seized besides Rs 6.18 lakh.

Another member, Shriniwas, was arrested and a laptop, a hard-disc, drawing and photographs of manufacturing arms besides about Rs 1.5 lakh were seized from his residence at the Siddarth Enclave.

Meanwhile, a raid was carried out at the factory and four people were arrested. A carbine gun, gun powder, 2-inch mortar, rocket launcher, pistol and revolver parts were seized. Books related to manufacturing arms, naxalite literature, cassette and CD were seized from the factory.

''Prima facie, it does not appear to be a case related to the National Security Act. However, police would investigate into this aspect if some clue is found,'' he said.

He said the group -- comprising Madhu Kumar alias Venketesh alias Madhav, his wife Rajlakshmi alias Sonam, Ashok alias Rajshekhar, Sriniwas alias Anna alias Bala Murli, Ragdu alias Deepak, Krishnamraju alias Bhaskar -- was running the illegal arms factors from one year at a rented house.

All the arrested members hailed from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Preliminary investigation has revealed the group's connection could be spread in other states.

Though it was not established during preliminary investigation where the arms were supplied, it could not be ruled out that the factory supplied arms to naxalites.

At present, interrogation was being carried out under the Arms and Explosives Act. Later, other cases could be registered.

UNI