Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said the recent recovery of a large cache of illegal arms and ammunition from parts of North and South 24 Parganas reflected a pattern of lawlessness that had flourished under the previous administration, alleging that such weapons had long been used to instil fear among ordinary citizens.

The chief minister said police teams carried out extensive searches at several locations in the Sarberia Bazar area of Kumrakhali and Basanti in South 24 Parganas district, as well as in parts of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, leading to the seizure of the firearms and ammunition.

Sharing details of the operation in a post on X, Adhikari said the recovered weapons had allegedly been stockpiled over the years to disrupt peace and intimidate the public.

"For years, illegal arms of this nature were amassed and used mercilessly to terrorise common people under the previous regime," he said.

In an apparent swipe at the former Trinamool Congress government, the chief minister alleged that this "culture of violence" had resulted in the deaths of several opposition workers, particularly BJP activists, who had opposed what he termed as political oppression.

Adhikari asserted that his government was determined to restore law and order and would continue its efforts to trace and recover illegal weapons from across the state.

"We remain fully committed to ensuring peace and security. Every illegal firearm hidden anywhere in West Bengal will be tracked down and seized," he said.

The chief minister praised the efforts of the Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police, personnel from the Basirhat Police District and senior officers involved in the raids, describing the operation as a significant achievement.

He further declared that criminal activities and political violence would be eradicated from the state and maintained that peace, public safety and democratic values would ultimately prevail.

Adhikari's remarks came a day after the National Investigation Agency arrested former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla, the main accused in the Bhangar blast case, from South 24 Parganas.

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The March 19 explosion at Dakshin Bamunia village in South 24 Parganas had claimed one life and left three others critically injured. Investigators alleged that crude bombs were being manufactured at the site when the blast occurred.