Arms factory with 1097 guns sealed in Guwahati

“There is a legal dispute over transfer and ownership of the factory after the death of its original owner, after which the company had failed to renew its permission from the union home ministry,” deputy commissioner Angamuthu said. The process of renewal begins with reports from the deputy commissioner’s office itself, with Angamuthu saying the authorities have also seized documents and a number of guns that were stocked after manufacture.

“We have seized 919 SBBL guns and 178 DBBL guns that the company had apparently manufactured even after it had failed to renew its licence. We have also sealed the factory and are examining the documents and other records to ascertain whether the company was also selling guns manufactured during this period,” Angamuthu said.

According to reports, the company belonged to one Kishorilal Kanu, who had, before his death apparently gifted the company to one of his sons Kamal Kishore Kanu in February 2008. Following this another son Sekhar Kishore Kanu moved the Gauhati High Court alleging gross irregularity in the said transfer.

The Gauhati High Court had in June last year asked the district authorities to carry out a thorough enquiry into the alleged irregularities, including ascertaining whether a permission was obtained or not from the union home ministry before transfer of ownership of the company in 2008.

“It is alleged that the company was running its factory and also manufacturing guns despite its failure to obtain the necessary permission for transfer and renewal of its licence,” Kamrup (Metro) deputy commissioner Angamuthu said. Guns manufactured in this factory are sold through various licenced arms dealers to persons and security companies having arms licence.