India
Farmers and Tribal Man Arrested for Country‑Made Firearms and Explosives Near Vellore
Two individuals were arrested on Saturday for possessing two country‑made guns and crude bombs near Pallikonda and Pernambut towns in Vellore. Forest officials identified the suspects as U. Chandru, 21, a tribal from the Irular community, and G. Srinivasan, 39, a farmer. Srinivasan cultivates paddy and groundnuts on a two‑acre plot. A tip‑off prompted a special team to search his house and farmland, where they found country‑made guns, explosives, nets, torchlights, and batteries. Officials said Srinivasan had procured the guns from contacts in Kerala and used pellets to hunt monkeys, rabbits, and spotted deer in forests around Jawadhu Hills. Chandru was arrested during a routine patrol for loitering with a country‑made gun; the team seized the gun, pellets, and explosives. Both suspects are being held at Central Prison in Vellore, and further investigation is underway. Published - November 01, 2026 12:44 am IST