Rourkela: A notorious dacoit was nabbed last night near Sankha Bridge at Gopapali in Odisha’s Sundargarh district while allegedly waiting to deliver weapons to customers.
The accused has been identified as Rebe alias Sunil Majhi (41).
According to Rourkela police sources, a team from Brahmanitarang police station reached the spot at around 9.40 pm following a tip-off about his presence in the area. Majhi attempted to flee toward Birmitrapur on spotting the team but was apprehended after a brief chase. A loaded country-made pistol containing three live rounds was recovered from him.
During interrogation, he confessed to procuring firearms and ammunition from Jharkhand and supplying them to buyers in Rourkela and Sundargarh. He also revealed that additional weapons were concealed in his rented house at Chutiatola, Kuarmunda.
Subsequent raids yielded a significant haul: one country-made pistol, two single-shot country-made guns, a revolver with a wooden grip, and 35 swords packed in a plastic sack. All items were seized in the presence of witnesses following due procedure, the sources added.
Police further stated that Majhi was a habitual offender and was involved in multiple cases under the Arms Act, robbery, dacoity, attempt to murder, and murder. Cases, some over ten years old, are registered against him at Brahmanitarang, Lathikata, Biramitrapur, Barkote, Bonai, Chandiposh, Gurundia, Bisra, and Hatibari police stations in Sundargarh and adjoining districts.
Further investigation is underway to dismantle the illegal arms supply chain and identify the buyers connected to this network.
