Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 15: A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from a pond in Habra in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district after fishermen accidentally pulled out two bags containing firearms while harvesting fish, police said on Monday.
Authorities recovered a total of eight firearms and 97 rounds of ammunition during a search operation and have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for hiding the weapons and determine their intended use.
According to police, the pond belongs to Subrata Biswas, a farmer from the Purbashapalli area of Kashipur in Habra, who owns two ponds and several bighas of agricultural land.
The discovery was made on Monday when fishermen had been engaged to harvest fish from one of the ponds.
Officials said the fishermen first pulled out a black bag while casting their nets. On opening it, they found four firearms and 72 rounds of ammunition and immediately informed the Habra Police Station.
Police personnel rushed to the spot, secured the area and launched an extensive search operation.
During a second round of netting, another black bag was recovered from the pond. It contained four additional firearms and 25 rounds of cartridges.
With the second recovery, the total seizure rose to eight country-made pistols and 97 rounds of ammunition.
News of the incident spread rapidly across the locality, drawing large crowds to the area.
Additional police personnel were deployed to maintain order, while central security forces were also stationed as a precautionary measure.
Barasat Superintendent of Police J. Mercy confirmed the recovery and said an investigation was underway.
"Police reached the spot after villagers informed us about the discovery. A search operation led to the recovery of eight country-made pistols from two bags, along with 97 rounds of ammunition. We are investigating who concealed the weapons in the pond," the officer said.
Speaking to local media, Taramani Biswas, wife of pond owner Subrata Biswas, said the family was unaware of how the weapons ended up in the water body.
"We rear fish in the pond and had sent fishermen to harvest them today. Later, we were informed that bags containing firearms and bullets had been recovered. The pond is located beside a relatively isolated road, so we have no idea who could have dumped the weapons there," she said.
The seizure comes less than two weeks after a similar incident in Sandeshkhali.
On June 6, the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police recovered a large cache of firearms and ammunition from a pond in the Manipur area of Sandeshkhali.
That pond was reportedly linked to Trinamool Congress leader and former regional president Robin Das. Following the recovery, Das and his brother, Gopal Das, allegedly fled the area.
Police are now examining whether there are any links between the two recoveries as part of the ongoing investigation.