A Gour Banga University student and a contractual employee of the
state government were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
in Malda on Monday night for allegedly possessing illegal firearms and ammunition.

After receiving a tip-off, a CID team raided the Rajanagar Model area under Kaliachak police station’s jurisdiction, said sources. The CID nabbed Mohammad Faruk Azam and Zubair Alam, both in their early twenties.

“Four improvised firearms and four rounds of live bullets were seized from the duo. Preliminary investigation suggests that they had a plan to smuggle those items somewhere,” said a source.

The CID has said Azam is pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry at the Gour Banga University.

Rajib Patitundi, the deputy registrar of the varsity, said Azam’s name figured in the first merit list.

“He is from Rajnagar Model area of Kaliachak and attended classes for three to four days so far. But we are yet to be informed by the CID and the police about his arrest,” Patitundi said.

Alam is a data entry operator (DEO) at a Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) in Kaliachak 2 block.

Pankaj Tamang, the subdivisional officer (sadar) of Malda, confirmed that a DEO named Zubair Alam was employed at a BSK in Kaliachak 2 block.

“If he is found involved in any criminal activity, an appropriate action will be taken according to norms,” said Tamang.

Administrative sources said the DEOs were engaged on a contractual basis to provide services related to the welfare schemes of the central and state governments.

A court on Tuesday remanded Azam and Alam in police custody for five days.

The duo told journalists on the court’s premises that they were innocent.

“We need to interrogate them to find out from where they had obtained the firearms and the ammunition and what their plans were,” said a police officer.