4 country-made rifles unearthed near forest area

Four country-made rifles, kept hidden among bushes near a forest area, prone to Maoist activities till a few years ago, were seized today, police said.
The rifles were unearthed from the bushes located on the way to Kavaramalai forest by Village Administrative Officer of Thalanatham in the district Sathyamurthy following information by local residents, they said.
The VAO handed over the rifles to personnel at Kadathu police station. The finding of the arms has caused a flutter as police keeps a close watch in the area to prevent Maoist movement.
With wildlife, particularly deers, coming out of forest in search of water, there had been some poacher movement in the region of late, forest officials said.

The deer population has increased in the area in the last two years after tight vigil maintained by forest personnel, they said.
Police said as the area had been visited by Naxals in the past they were investigating the finding of arms from both poachers and Maoist angle.