A BJP worker carrying three live cartridges in his purse was caught by the police at a public meeting at Mandvi in Surat district on Monday. Chief Minister Narendra Modi was to address the meeting to campaign for party’s Bardoli candidate Ritesh Vasawa.

The youth, a resident of Songadh town in Tapi district, was arrested for violation of the District Magistrate’s notification and was later released after police probe.

Strict police arrangements were made at Nagarpalika compound in Mandvi on the eve of Modi’s arrival and his public meeting.

The police sprung into action after the youth carrying live cartridges of 12 bore gun was caught by security persons at the entry gate of the venue. Many people had come to hear Modi and had occupied their seats when the incident happened.

The man was immediately taken to the nearby police headquarters for further questioning.

He was later identified as Gaman Vasawa, a resident of Vrindavan society in Songadh town in Tapi district.

Gaman told police that he owned arms license and had submitted the arms with Songadh police station on 18th April. He said he had failed to submit the cartridges.

The investigating officer H K Bharwad said, “We have arrested him under violation of the notification of District Magistrate. After interrogation we found that he had brought the cartridges in the meeting accidentally.”

Police said that Gaman, an active worker of BJP, is a general secretary of a co-operative society of Songadh.

“We have also verified the receipt of the arms submitted by him to the Songadh police,” said Bharwad.