Kolkata

Days before the two-phase elections in West Bengal, the Kolkata Police Special Task Force seized a cache of weapons and ammunition in central Kolkata and detained one man, officials said on Saturday.

According to police, STF personnel intercepted the suspect near a bus stand close to Rajabazar Science College after becoming suspicious of a bag he was carrying. A search reportedly led to the recovery of six single-shot firearms and 14 cartridges.

Investigators are now trying to determine where the weapons were being transported and who was meant to receive them.

The seizure comes amid heightened security checks across the state, with police establishing roadblocks and increasing vehicle inspections ahead of polling.

In recent days, enforcement agencies have also recovered significant amounts of unaccounted cash in separate operations in Kolkata and neighbouring Howrah.

Police from Kolkata’s South East Division reportedly seized around Rs 25 lakh in cash from a vehicle during checks in the Ballygunge Assembly constituency area on Friday.

Earlier, the Railway Protection Force seized more than Rs 72 lakh in cash near Howrah Station and detained two suspects during a search near Banaras Bridge in the railway yard area.

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Officials said surveillance has been tightened in sensitive locations to prevent illegal movement of arms and cash before the elections. West Bengal will vote on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.