Bhubaneswar: The Special Crime Unit (SCU) of Commissionerate Police on Thursday arrested a wanted criminal from Bhubaneswar.
The accused has been identified as Amaresh Raut alias Kanha, a resident of Tala Sahi in Sundarpada area of the city. Two semi-automatic pistols, as many magazines and 10 rounds of live ammunition were seized from him.
According to sources, Raut was pursued by the SCU team and apprehended at Sundarpada while he was allegedly en route to finalize a firearms deal. A mobile phone was also seized fro
m him. It is suspected that the pistols could have been manufactured at Munger in Bihar.
Sources further stated that Raut is wanted in multiple cases, including serious charges related to contract killings. He allegedly worked for the mafia and threatened people while carrying pistols.
This arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Odisha police to dismantle networks involved in the supply and trade of illegal weapons. In January, the SCU had arrested an arms dealer near Kujimahal playground in Chandaka, on the outskirts of the city, and seized six semi-automatic pistols, as many magazines and 10 rounds of live ammunition from him. Prior to that, 42 arms dealers were arrested and 40 guns and two carbines were seized from them over six months.
Police have also issued a number 0674-2916383 for the public to provide information about the criminal, assuring that the identity of the informant will be kept anonymous.