Kolkata, June 6 (IANS) Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday praised the West Bengal Police after a large cache of illegal firearms was recovered from a pond in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

In a post on X, Adhikari said, “Kudos to the West Bengal Police for a Major Breakthrough. On precise intelligence inputs, the Special Task Force (STF) conducted extensive raids across multiple locations near Sarberia Bazaar in Kumrakhali, Basanti, and Sandeshkhali areas. Forces have successfully seized a massive cache of illegal firearms and ammunition hidden away to disrupt peace.”

The comments from the Chief Minister came after a huge cache of firearms and cartridges hidden in a pond belonging to a Trinamool Congress leader was recovered on Saturday morning.

Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police searched the Manipur area in Sandeshkhali in the morning, based on a tip-off from a secret source. The officers uncovered a cache of weapons in the pond. However, the owner of the pond, Trinamool leader and party’s former regional president Robin Das and his brother Gopal Das, have fled the area.

Reacting to the development, Suvendu Adhikari said, “I highly appreciate the prompt actions and exemplary coordination of the DGP; West Bengal Police, the STF Team, and Basirhat Police District Personnel for this successful operation.”

He also shared a video clip of the arms recovery and claimed that these weapons were stockpiled to be used on the common man, especially on BJP workers.

“For years under the previous regime, such illegal weapons were stockpiled and used ruthlessly to terrorize common citizens. This culture of violence claimed the precious lives of numerous opposition party workers, particularly dedicated BJP Karyakartas, who stood up against tyranny,” he said.

Adhikari maintained that the state government, with the help of the police, will continue to recover such illegal arms and ammunition.

“Those dark days are over. Our Government remains unconditionally committed to restoring Law and Order. We will continue to track down, unearth, and recover every single piece of illegal firearms across the length and breadth of West Bengal. Criminal activities and Political Terrorism will be completely wiped out from our State. Peace, safety, and Democracy will prevail,” said Adhikari.

–IANS

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