Reacting to an investigation by the Hindustan Times, the army on Wednesday has ordered an inquiry into the alleged sale of non-service pattern (NSP) weapons by some officers in the border districts of Rajasthan.
The army said on Wednesday that it had received a communication from the Rajasthan government in this regard. The inquiry has been ordered by the Jaipur-based army command to ascertain if there has been any breach of regulations related to procurement and sale of NSP weapons, which have already been phased out by the forces.
The army said NSP weapons are sold at government-approved rates to all ranks. Army personnel can buy only one NSP weapon, only after procuring a valid arms license.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan police have tracked down buyers of 71 such weapons.The police revealed that a dreaded dacoit of the Chambal ravines was one of the buyers of these weapons sold in Sriganganagar and Bikaner districts since 2002.
According to a police report, 71 prohibited-bore weapons, allotted only to service personnel, were sold through just one arms dealer in Bikaner. Police had conducted raids on the Bikaner-based arms dealer in June this year.
{{/usCountry}}According to a police report, 71 prohibited-bore weapons, allotted only to service personnel, were sold through just one arms dealer in Bikaner. Police had conducted raids on the Bikaner-based arms dealer in June this year.
{{/usCountry}}“Deva Gurjar, a well-known dacoit of the Chambal, and his sons bought two .32 pistols of European origin in May 2006,” the report said.
“Six hardened criminals of Rajasthan were among the buyers of prohibited weapons from dealers in the area,” the police said, adding that the guns were sold to buyers in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttaranchal.