Police in Kandhamal district busted an illegal country-made gun factory in Pangapaju village under Kotringia panchayat, Gochhapada police limits, on December 4.
Officers arrested Banchhanidhi Bindhani, who was manufacturing firearms inside the unit.
Superintendent of Police Harish Bisi confirmed the arrest and said police seized a small country-made pistol, gun-making equipment, cutting machines, wooden frames, and other materials used in the process. The raid also recovered tools such as welding instruments and accessories linked to firearm production.
Bindhani had earlier faced arrest in 2016 for involvement in similar gun-making activities. Police noted that Gochhapada remains a Maoist-prone area, often associated with ganja cultivation and mafia networks. Investigators are now probing whether the weapons were intended for sale or for specific use.
Preliminary findings suggest that the guns were primarily manufactured for hunting wild animals. However, police continue to investigate possible links to criminal groups and illegal trade.
The raid took place under the direct supervision of SP Harish Bisi. Sadar SDPO Shubhrajit Biswal and Gochhapada IIC Chiranjeevi Biswal also participated in the operation. Police described the bust as a major success in curbing illegal arms activity in the region.
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