Lucknow/New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh police made a shocking, and shameful, confession on Friday: it has arrested four policemen, including two from the paramilitary CRPF, for allegedly stealing weapons and supplying them to Naxals.
A senior UP police officer said the Special Task Force (STF) arrested the accused on Friday based on information gathered after 76 security personnel were killed by Naxals in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, on April 6.
"We have also recovered large number of arms, mobile phones and Rs 1.76 lakh in cash from them," said Additional Director General of UP police Brij Lal at a press conference in Lucknow
He said the accused had been stealing and selling weapons for more than six months and they are being questioned to look at the possibility of involvement of more persons.
Official sources said the STF carried out searches in Moradabad, Rampur and Jhansi to arrest Vinod Paswan and Dinesh Singh of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force).
They said a retired sub-inspector of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, Yashodhanad Singh, was seen moving at the armouries of the CRPF and PAC and collecting empty shells of bullets fired during the training.
These shells were later replaced at the main Rampur armoury with live bullets and finally supplied to Naxals, sources said.
Over 5,000 live cartridges, 16 magazines of INSAS rifles, .25 bore guns, SLR and AK 47s were recovered besides 245 kg of empty shells.
The CRPF has suspended Paswan and Singh and ordered an immediate court of enquiry.
"We have suspended both the personnel and have also ordered an immediate Court of Enquiry. We are in constant touch with the UP police and are extending all help to them," CRPF Director General Vikram Srivastava told PTI.
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