Kendrapara: Authorities in Odisha have taken into custody a man suspected of being a Bangladeshi infiltrator, who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, as reported on Saturday.

The individual, named Mrutunjaya Mandal, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of his arrest in a coastal village under the jurisdiction of the Rajnagar police station.

Mandal asserted that he hails from the Sandeshkhali subdivision in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, but had relocated to Gupti village in Kendrapara district to work in agriculture, according to police sources.

He was apprehended with the weapon, and further inquiries are ongoing since he could not provide any documentation proving his Indian citizenship, stated Naresh Sahu, the inspector-in-charge of Rajnagar police.

Officials have indicated that the possibility of him being a Bangladeshi infiltrator remains, and they are currently verifying his background with the West Bengal Police.

A case has been registered under the Arms Act, and should his Bangladeshi origins be validated, he may also face charges under the Foreigners Act, police confirmed.

Kendrapara is noted for having the highest number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the coastal region, with 1,649 registered cases.