Arms of Myanmar Army in high demand

PATNA: Two arms smugglers from Ukhrul in Manipur, who were arrested from Baisi in Purnia district on February 7, reportedly told police during interrogation that like last year, the three AK-47 rifles of the Myanmar Army were to be sold to Maoists and criminals in Bihar at Rs 12 lakh each. According to them, the two under-barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs) were to be sold at Rs 25 lakh per piece.
On February 10, the Purnia police had recovered the Myanmar Army’s three AK-47 rifles in dismantled condition, two UBGLs and 1,200 live cartridges of AK-47 rifles after breaking the doors, dashboard, roof, seats and footsteps of an SUV, which was seized from Baisi on February 7.
Initially, police had seized 600 live cartridges of AK-47 rifles from the vehicle after intercepting it at Baisi. Three arms smugglers – V R Kahornagam, Clearson Kavo (both from Ukhrul) and Suraj Prasad from Pipra Basant in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh – were arrested.
The seized firearms were to be delivered to one Mukesh Singh of Patna, who is yet to be arrested.
Baisi SDPO Manoj Ram said Kahornagam and Kavo have revealed names of at least 15 more people from Bihar, Nagaland and Manipur, who are involved in the international arms smuggling racket. “Police are verifying the identity of these people. We will soon move court seeking arrest warrants against them,” Ram added.
According to police sources, the price in which Myanmar Army’s rifles are sold in Bihar is almost double when compared to the ones manufactured in India and used by Maoists and criminals. “Even China-manufactured AK-56 rifles, which are also smuggled into Bihar from north-eastern states, are sold at a price in which Indian AK-47 rifles are available,” they added.
The sources said after unearthing of a racket involving massive supply of AK-47 rifles from Central Ordnance Depot at Jabalpur in Madya Pradesh to Munger, it surfaced that the rifles were sold for around Rs 6 lakh per piece in Munger.
“While Maoists use UBGLs looted from security personnel during encounters, it is probably the first time we have unearthed a racket involving UBGL smuggling through international border,” the sources added.
“Complexity of smuggling racket and rare availability also increases the price of rifles and UBGLs,” a senior IPS officer said on condition of anonymity.