Bhubaneswar: The growing use of illegal firearms in crimes has emerged as a serious concern in the state capital, with a series of recent incidents exposing the easy availability of weapons among criminal elements and raising questions about public safety.Two consecutive incidents last week have brought the issue into sharp focus. In Sisupalgarh, a celebratory gathering turned tragic when a youth was allegedly shot dead after an illegally procured pistol went off during reckless firing.Just two days later, a young man was shot dead at point-blank range in Laxmisagar area, with police suspecting the murder was linked to gang rivalry.The back-to-back cases have sparked anxiety among residents, many of whom fear that gun violence is gradually becoming more common among trigger-happy criminals.“It is alarming that firearms are being used so frequently. Earlier, such incidents were mostly confined to bigger cities. Now people are worried about safety even in residential localities,” said Prasanta Kumar Hota, a resident of Laxmisagar.R N Swain, a retired DSP, said, “There is a need for stronger intelligence gathering, tighter surveillance of criminal gangs and continued action against illegal arms suppliers before gun violence gains a deeper foothold in the city.”Police maintained that sustained crackdowns against illegal arms networks have helped prevent more serious crimes. “Our special crime unit (SCU), special squad and police stations have intensified operations targeting firearm suppliers, peddlers and sources,” a senior police officer said.According to police data, at least 45 illegal firearms were seized and 60 persons arrested in Bhubaneswar over the past year. Police said many of the seized weapons were country-made pistols that could have been used in robberies, extortion and gang clashes.“Had these weapons not been seized, they would have eventually landed in the hands of criminals for the commission of serious offences. Our continuous operations have disrupted several supply chains and prevented potential crimes,” the police officer said.The officer added that illegal firearms are often smuggled into Odisha from neighbouring states through organised networks. “We are keeping a close watch on inter-state arms trafficking routes. Public cooperation is equally important. Residents should immediately report suspicious activities or information relating to weapons. The identity of informers will be kept strictly confidential,” he said.