Surendranagar, March 30 – Authorities in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district have detained 21 individuals for allegedly acquiring arms licenses through suspicious means from Nagaland and Manipur and using them to purchase firearms. As per agency report, at least 25 weapons have been confiscated in connection with the case.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Nikunj Patel, 17 of the detainees purchased 25 firearms worth approximately Rs 25 lakh, while the remaining four had obtained licenses but had not yet purchased any weapons. Among those who bought weapons, 14 individuals have criminal backgrounds, with charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to extortion and illegal mining. The criminal records of the remaining three are currently under investigation.
The case surfaced after police received intelligence indicating that several individuals in Surendranagar had procured arms licenses from other states, particularly Nagaland and Manipur. Following this lead, the police identified 21 persons who allegedly used fake documents and worked through agents based in Gujarat, Haryana, and the two northeastern states to obtain the licenses.
Authorities have since launched a detailed probe into the matter, seizing the weapons and related documents. Patel stated that further legal action is underway to investigate the scope of the license procurement network and determine whether other individuals are involved in similar illegal activities.
