Youth held with pistol at Agartala Railway Station
The Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel arrested a youth with a pistol and live ammunition during a routine search operation at Agartala Railway Station on Tuesday morning.
According to police sources, the GRP team at the station, under the jurisdiction of Government Railway Police Station Agartala, was conducting regular checks when the youth was found suspicion. Upon thorough search, the GRP personnel recovered one pistol, two magazines, and two rounds of live ammunition from his possession.
The accused was immediately taken into custody and brought to the GRP police station for interrogation. During questioning, he identified himself as Subrata Dutta, a resident of Madhupur.
He reportedly confessed that the firearm had been transported from Bihar via train and was intended for illegal sale in the Madhupur area.
Officer-in-Charge Raju Bhowmik informed senior GRP officials about the incident, following which a forensic team was called to examine the seized weapon and gather evidence.
Police said the accused will be produced before the court on Wednesday with a prayer for remand to further investigate the source and intended recipients of the weapon.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over an active arms smuggling network operating through Tripura, ahead of the ADC polls.
The railway routes, particularly through Agartala, are evidently being used as corridors for trafficking illegal arms and narcotics into the state.
Sources indicated that both arms and drug trafficking activities are being facilitated through Agartala Railway Station, with the possible involvement of local agents who act as intermediaries in the supply chain.
The arrest has intensified calls for strengthening surveillance and security measures at railway transit points-- enhanced vigilance by the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force is needed to curb the growing menace of arms and drug trafficking in the region.
Further investigation is underway to dismantle the suspected network and identify other individuals involved in the illegal trade.
