Illegal gun making unit busted near Gudiyatham; six held

Six persons were arrested by Gudiyatham Town police in Vellore on Sunday in connection with a country gun manufacturing unit discovered by police during a surprise check in the area.

Police said the arrested were identified as P. Povunu, 75, P. Sadasivam 45, N. Chinnappan, 35, D. Manoharan, 57, S. Arumugam , 23 and K. Ellumalai, 21. The first two are from Eriyur village at foothills of Jawadhu Hills; the other are from Kaaleri and Modhana villages near Gudiyatham town. They work as masons and farmers.

Initial inquiry revealed that mastermind Pavunu has converted his small house in the village into a unit to making country-made guns. He had machinery for welding and cutting steel rods that is used to make guns, and sources gun powder to make pellets. Pavunu was helped by his son Sadasivan, a mason.

Police said that through contacts, other suspects got in touch with the duo to purchase guns. Each gun was sold for ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 15,000 with pellets included. The purchased guns were mainly used to hunt wild species like rabbit and spotted deer in the forests near Jawadhu Hills and Mordhana dam area near Gudiyatham town in Tamil Nadu – Andhra Pradesh border.

Based on a tip-off, Gudiyatham police conducted surprise checks at the house of Chinnappan and his associates on Sunday and recovered two country-made guns. During inquiry, the gang admitted to sourcing weapons from Pavunu and his son.

A police team raided Pavunu’s house and recovered two more guns. A case was registered. All six persons were arrested and lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is underway.