<p>Three people from Orissa who were arrested two days ago in Kochi are believed to be part of this racket based in south India. <br />The three were arrested when they were buying guns from an armoury there using fake licence of the deputy commissioner of Mon district in Nagaland. The arrest was based on a tip-off from the Nagaland officials to the Ernakulam district authorities. <br />Information<br />Preliminary inquiries revealed that 21 persons from Orissa had purchased 12 bore double barrel guns. Sources say the arrested have admitted that they had been supplying arms to Maoists in Orissa and Naga rebels. They have also divulged the whereabouts of more members of the gang. <br />IB report<br />The Intelligence Bureau had already reported that a racket collecting arms for insurgents in North East and Naxalites was thriving in south India. Police are also looking into the suspected role of a Border Security Force official and a retired colonel in this racket.<br />According to sources, the whereabouts of about 50 guns purchased from the armoury between June last year and February this year would be ascertained. <br />Interestingly, the guns were bought from Kochi for Rs 25,000 when the same was available in states like Orissa more cheaply. <br />The police are also collecting details of arms sales from other armouries in the state.<br /></p>
<p>Three people from Orissa who were arrested two days ago in Kochi are believed to be part of this racket based in south India. <br />The three were arrested when they were buying guns from an armoury there using fake licence of the deputy commissioner of Mon district in Nagaland. The arrest was based on a tip-off from the Nagaland officials to the Ernakulam district authorities. <br />Information<br />Preliminary inquiries revealed that 21 persons from Orissa had purchased 12 bore double barrel guns. Sources say the arrested have admitted that they had been supplying arms to Maoists in Orissa and Naga rebels. They have also divulged the whereabouts of more members of the gang. <br />IB report<br />The Intelligence Bureau had already reported that a racket collecting arms for insurgents in North East and Naxalites was thriving in south India. Police are also looking into the suspected role of a Border Security Force official and a retired colonel in this racket.<br />According to sources, the whereabouts of about 50 guns purchased from the armoury between June last year and February this year would be ascertained. <br />Interestingly, the guns were bought from Kochi for Rs 25,000 when the same was available in states like Orissa more cheaply. <br />The police are also collecting details of arms sales from other armouries in the state.<br /></p>
