BARPETA, Nov 28 - In what could be a major success against jehadi activities in the State, Barpeta Police busted an arms factory at Milijuli Bazar under the Baghbar Police Station in the district last night and recovered a huge quantity of arms and machinery. They also nabbed four culprits in this connection.
Acting on a tip-off, a police and CRPF team, led by SP Shiladitya Chetia, reached Milijuli and spotted the arms factory. They apprehended Niraj Kumar and Naresh Pal, who hail from Munger, Bihar, and Mahar Ali alias Sadhu and Manik from the factory site.
The recovered arms included 10 pistols and two guns. Tools and machinery used in the factory were also seized.
The SP told this correspondent that the factory was new and that this was the first batch of its production. He did not rule out the possibility of the factory having links with jehadi activities in the State. Chetia also expressed surprise over the involvement of professional arms manufacturers from Bihar, especially Munger, as it is their ancestral profession.
The activities of jehadis in Barpeta district, particularly the Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, had come to light with the arrest of a few activists, including Sahanur Alom, about a year ago. The busting of a factory in a remote and backward area, managed by professionals, has raised new concern.
