They would use the porous forest route of Bhairahwan area in Bahraich to enter Nepal

The Bahraich police have arrested two men for allegedly supplying illegal weapons to Nepal-based Maoist groups for the last two years.

The ADG (Law & Order), Brij Lal, said on Friday that the arrested persons — Mohammad Sueb of Shravasti and Arvind Mandal of Bihar — have revealed the name of a Maoist area commander, Bhim Nepali, to whom they used to deliver the weapons. Bhim Nepali is based in Nepalganj.

A German-make revolver of .32 and another of .38 bore, four countrymade firearms and a consignment of ammunition were recovered from their possession.

The accused were interrogated by Sashastra Seema Bal, Intelligence Bureau

and State Intelligence wing officials.

Bahraich ASP V P Srivastava said the police had received a tip-off about a gang carrying arms and ammunition across the border. A trap was laid, leading to the arrest of the two in the Risiya area.

During interrogation, the duo confessed that they used to take the porous forest route of Bhairahwan area in Bahraich to enter Nepal.

The Maoists used to pay Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for each of the factorymade firearms and Rs 6,000 to 8,000 for the countrymade ones manufactured at illegal units at Munger in Bihar, Srivastava said.

The accused further said that Maoists visit Munger frequently to purchase arms and ammunition. According to Sueb, these groups usually take the Jharkhand route to visit Bihar.

... contd.