A Trinamul leader based in Harishchandrapur of Malda was arrested on Monday for wielding a pistol in public and threatening people that he would fire indiscriminately at them.

Sources said Puran Mushahar, who is also the husband of a former panchayat chief, was in an intoxicated state when he resorted to such an act in a mango orchard in Pemai village under Bhaluka panchayat of Harishchandrapur police station.

“He was blabbering on his own and wielding the firearm. As some of us tried to dissuade him, he chased us with the pistol and threatened to fire at some others. We suspect he was drunk,” said a resident.

“We will interrogate him to find out from where he got the firearm,” said a police officer.