The alleged kingpin of an illegal mini gun manufacturing unit busted in Godda district earlier this week was arrested by Bokaro Police while allegedly attempting to flee to Ranchi on Thursday night, police said on Friday.The accused, identified as Pawan Kumar Turi (40), was intercepted near a barrier in Bokaro following the Sept 16 raid on the illegal arms factory at Ghat Balia village under Mahagama police station.Turi, who allegedly projected himself as an RTI activist, social worker and social media content creator, had been absconding since a joint raid by the Bihar STF and Jharkhand Police uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing unit operating from a concealed room on his premises.During the raid, police arrested Turi’s elderly parents, Haradhan Mirdha and Gulmuni Devi, while Turi managed to escape.According to villagers, Turi allegedly played loud film songs to mask the noise of machinery operating inside the premises. He reportedly claimed the machines were being used to manufacture disposable leaf plates (pattals) and even distributed them at social events to lend credibility to the cover story.“The raiding team seized 10 semi-finished country-made pistol bodies, 20 grips, slides and barrels, along with machinery allegedly used for manufacturing firearms,” Mahagama SDPO Varun Rajak said.The seized machinery included three lathe machines, seven drilling machines, two to three milling machines and cutting equipment. Police also recovered a rifle, live cartridges and raw iron plates, the officer added.Investigators are now questioning Turi to ascertain how long the unit had been operating, the source of the machinery and raw materials, and the supply network for the firearms allegedly manufactured there.
