The Bhima river belt and country-made pistols have remained virtually synonymous for decades. The recent incident involving Bagappa Harijan on the District Court premises is a grim reminder of how illegal possession of weapons is thriving in the river belt despite the police seizing hundreds of country-made pistols so far.
It is believed that the unknown assailant who shot at and injured Bagappa Harijan also used some country-made pistol for the task.
Bagappa Harijan is a native of Byadagihal village of Sindgi taluk which is part of the Bhima river belt, and it will come as no surprise if the assailant was also found to be from the same region.
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This belt comprising at least a dozen villages in both Sindgi and Indi taluks has witnessed bloodshed and dozens of shoot-outs in which several people have died.
Rivalry is the main reason behind these killings, and such shoot-outs have become a major headache for the police.
It is believed that almost every household in these villages possesses at least one country-made pistol despite knowing the fact that it is illegal.
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Sources in the police said that a country-made pistol and six rounds of ammunition cost around ₹ 10,000. For a ₹ 1,000 more, a few extra rounds of ammunition could be bought easily.
The sources said that Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are two sources from where the country-made weapons are coming, without any hindrance.
Recently, a police team from Vijayapura, in pursuit of the main source, visited some villages in Madhya Pradesh where, to its surprise, it found small factories involved in manufacturing pistols and bullets.
However, nothing more could be done by the police team as that matter pertained to another State.
The police said that in Sindgi and Indi taluks, cases in connection with being in possession of illegal weapons have been registered against over 100 persons in different police stations. The police have also seized over 200 weapons, including country-made pistols, revolvers and double-barrel guns.
However, many feel that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Some police personnel also know about people who possess guns or who is involved in supplying them, but even they hesitate to initiate action as there is a history of attacks on police officials who went for raids,” said a police officer who has served in that area.
The official said that following some tough action over the years gangwars have reduced significantly.