Two suspected smugglers were arrested with firearms and bullets from Baishnabnagar in Malda on Monday.

According to police sources, three disassembled rifled muskets, two improvised pipe guns and some rounds of live cartridges were seized from Alim and Azabul Sheikh during a raid at Natunsikosti area in Shahaban Chowk of Baishnabnagar.

Alok Rajoria, the district police chief of Malda, said: “We suspect that the duo are associated with an illegal arms smuggling racket and also make improvised firearms. We will interrogate them to obtain more information. We also need to know whether they had any plans to carry out any criminal activity during the ensuing festivities.”

In Malda, the police have been conducting raids ahead of the festivities across the district.

On Monday, raids were conducted in localities like Baishnabnagar, Kaliachak, Mothabari, Englishbazar, Manikchak, Ratua, Chanchal, Pukhuria and Harischandrapur police stations, said sources.

It may be mentioned that a couple of days back, the police had seized 1.9kg of explosives and 40 small canisters used to make crude bombs, along with a firearm and some bullets from Kaliachak.

“We have intensified the vigil and are taking all steps to curb criminal activities across the district. Along with firearms, narcotic and fake currency rackets are also under scanner as these rackets become active during festive seasons,” said a police officer.

The sources said more police personnel, including women, in plainclothes have been deployed at marketplaces across the district.