Cuttack: A man was arrested with 55 carbide guns (plastic cannons filled with carbide flinders and water), on the outskirts of Odisha’s Cuttack city.
The arrested has been identified as Anil Manikrao Chauhan of Wardha in Maharashtra. Baranga police apprehended him while he was found demonstrating the cannons at Trisulia square. These were being sold at Rs 100 to Rs 200.
“The man was demonstrating how to use the country-made plastic cannons by putting some carbide and water inside it and igniting it with a gas lighter resulting in high explosion. He was arrested for selling combustible item so negligently which can endanger and cause injuries to other commuters,” Cuttcaj DCP Pinak Mishra told the media.
Besides 55 plastic cannons, a plastic container containing 500 grams of carbide, a bottle containing water and motorcycle were seized from him.
The DCP also warned locals against using the cannons as these can prove fatal.
Notably, carbide guns are also used for chasing away elephants, monkeys and gaurs, which damage crops.