Kolkata: A councillor of the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal was arrested from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata with six live cartridges and a magazine on Sunday.
Sheikh Aminul Islam, councillor of Ward Number 14 of the Pujali Municipality in the South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal, was on his way to Mumbai when the bullets and magazine were found in his luggage. He was detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and handed over to the Airport police station.
“During the routine scan, something metallic was detected inside his luggage. He was immediately isolated and a thorough search was conducted. This was when the magazine and the six 7.65 mm bullets were found,” an official said.
When questioned, Islam was unable to provide any satisfactory explanation to the presence of the bullets and magazine in his luggage. Even those carrying licensed firearms need to declare them at the airport with all documents.
A passenger cannot carry weapons or ammunition with her/him in an aircraft. Licenced firearms may be carried in booked luggage after proper verification of all documents.
The councillor’s arrest comes at a time when the BJP has been accusing the Trinamool Congress of violence and intimidating members of the opposition in the state. The ruling party has not issued any comment regarding Islam’s arrest.
