A trader from Bihar was intercepted at Bagdogra airport on Sunday afternoon for carrying a firearm in his luggage.

Mohammad Rahanuddin, who is from Katihar district of Bihar, was arrested.

Sources said that the trader reached Bagdogra on Sunday and was supposed to take a flight to Chennai.

However, when his luggage was scanned, the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel in charge of airport security found that it contained a firearm.

They frisked the luggage and found the improvised pistol. Rahanuddin was taken into custody and later handed over to Bagdogra police station.

“He has claimed that someone kept the firearm in his luggage and that he was on the way to Chennai for treatment. Our officers are investigating the case and will talk to him to gather more information,” said a police officer.

BJP supporter death

A 50-year-old BJP supporter in Phansidewa block of Siliguri sub-division died at the North Bengal Medical College & Hospital (NBMCH) on Sunday night.

Apu Chowdhury’s family members have alleged that on Saturday late evening, a day before Siliguri rural polls on Sunday, he had an altercation with some youths, allegedly Trinamul supporters, who shoved him repeatedly.

“He was a cardiac patient. Some Trinamul supporters came and attacked him. He complained of chest pain after the incident and we had admitted him at NBMCH. We want legal steps against the attackers,” said a relative. His wife Shobha filed a complaint at Phansidewa police station, accusing 10 persons.

Ainul Haque, Trinamul leader in Phansidewa, denied the charges.