Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Oct 2: The district police here have detected four firearms with unauthorised modifications during a special inspection drive conducted across the district over the past month.

The special operation was launched in view of recent cases involving the use of firearms in the district. The inspection focused on verifying the background of licensed firearm holders, the condition of their weapons and whether any unauthorised modifications had been made.

During the drive, police inspected a total of 2,925 firearms across the district. The weapons inspected included 1,759 SBML guns, 554 SBBL guns, 318 DBBL guns, six DBML guns, 120 pistols, 119 revolvers, 30 rifles, 13 bore guns and six NP-bore firearms.

During the inspection, four firearms were found to have been subjected to unauthorised modifications. Separate cases have been registered at Shankaranarayana, Kota, Brahmavar and Karkala Town police stations against the respective individuals under Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959. The cases are currently under investigation.

The police also conducted special verification of individuals with rowdy sheets who hold firearm licences, including checking their present conduct and whether they had been involved in any criminal cases after obtaining firearm licences.

The Udupi district police said that continuous monitoring would be maintained against the illegal use and unauthorised modification of firearms in the interest of public safety and the maintenance of law and order. Necessary legal action will be taken against violations.

The police have appealed to the public to report any information regarding the illegal possession, use, modification or storage of firearms to the nearest police station.