SILIGURI, October 5: A man from Sikkim was apprehended by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at the New Mechi Bridge in Panitanki while he was allegedly carrying a licensed pistol and ammunition while travelling towards Nepal.
The incident occurred at around 4:10 pm on October 4, when personnel of the Border Intelligence Team (BIT) of ‘D’ Company, Panitanki, 41st Battalion SSB, were conducting routine checking at the New Bridge.
During the checking of a vehicle bearing registration number SK 02 P 4800, travelling from India towards Nepal, SSB personnel intercepted a male Indian citizen. A search of his handbag allegedly led to the recovery of one .32-calibre pistol, two magazines, 49 live rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition and one empty 7.65 mm cartridge case.
The apprehended person was identified as Tashi Palki Bhutia, a resident of Sikkim. During preliminary questioning, he reportedly told the authorities that he was travelling from Sikkim to Kakarbhitta in Nepal to receive his Guru Ji.
According to the SSB, Bhutia produced an arms licence for the pistol. However, officials found that the licence authorised him to carry the firearm only within Sikkim and West Bengal, and did not permit him to take the weapon to any other place.
Following the seizure, the recovered firearm, ammunition and the apprehended person were handed over to Kharibari Police Station for further investigation and legal action.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances under which the firearm and ammunition were being taken towards the India-Nepal border.
- By Prashant Acharya
