SEPPA, Apr 4: The East Kameng Police arrested  a 70-year-old man for manufacturing country made firearms including three others.

An information was received early this year that in the far-flung Lada circle of East Kameng district, illegal fire-arms are manufactured and used for hunting and self-defence purposes. Intelligence was gathered to identify the persons who are manufacturing, selling and purchasing the weapon. Based on information one alleged manufacturer Niso Miji (70) was apprehended along with recovery of one country made pistol and tool-box used for manufacturing of firearms, the East Kameng Police said in a statement.

Miji accepted that he manufactures arms and sells them at a cost of Rs 10000-15000. He was served 41A CrPC notice keeping his medical condition in mind. Thereafter, further five more weapons were recovered in different raids conducted in the area across 5 days by Insp Sochi Don, OC PS Seppa and SI Shakti Lamgu, OC PS Khenewa, Ct Marham Doka, Ct Senia Yangfo, Ct Shankar Taniang under supervision of Rahul Gupta IPS, SP East Kameng.

Complete eradication of such dangerous practice required community participation and involvement of all stakeholders. Focus shifted to convince the village dwellers to voluntarily surrender the weapons with them and also vow to never purchase and manufacture such illegal arms. Led by SP East Kameng Rahul Gupta, Circle Officer Mem Ejing organized an arms surrender campaign in the area with support of GBs and CBOs for Lada circle. Total 36 arms were surrendered on March 30 in presence of SP East Kameng and other officials in Lada circle HQ.