PIMPRI/PUNE: Recent arrests made by the police in Pimpri Chinchwad have shed light on the alarming availability of pistols in the area. Two individuals planning to avenge the death of Kishor Aware in Maval were apprehended with a pistol, followed by the arrest of three more individuals who were plotting to kill former NCP corporator Shekhar Ovhal. These incidents have raised concerns about the widespread circulation of illegal firearms in the region.
The motive behind the arrests was rooted in personal disputes. The accused had acquired the pistols with the intention of carrying out their revenge plans against Shekhar Ovhal and in retaliation for the death of Kishor Aware, as they had close associations with Aware. The incidents have triggered a sense of unease and anxiety in the taluka and the wider district.
Under the previous leadership of CP Krishna Prakash, the use of locally made pistols had witnessed a surge. Such firearms were involved in murder cases reported in Chakan and Sangvi. To address this growing concern, Prakash had established a dedicated cell to combat the illegal firearms trade, assigning the responsibility to API Ambarish Deshmukh. However, there is now a renewed call for the formation of a similar cell to tackle the persistent pistol-related issues in the area.
While the Pimpri Chinchwad police have taken action against individuals found in possession of weapons, they have struggled to identify and apprehend those responsible for operating the illegal arms racket. Consequently, despite law enforcement efforts, a substantial number of firearms continue to enter the city. This situation necessitates proactive and preventive measures.
The easy availability of pistols in the city has cast a shadow of terror over the common man. Over the past five months alone, 74 individuals have been arrested for possessing pistols, resulting in the seizure of 69 firearms. However, it is evident that additional measures and targeted operations are required to effectively dismantle the pistol trade.
During the last five months, the Pimpri Chinchwad police have confiscated a total of 320 weapons, including 69 pistols and 251 other sharp-edged weapons. Various police stations have registered 260 FIRs related to these cases.
CP Vinoy Kumar Choubey stated, “Special efforts are being made to apprehend criminals using pistols. Based on confidential information, the police have successfully thwarted two murder plots. Moving forward, the police will continue their endeavors to dismantle the pistol racket at its roots.”
