TIRUCHY: The Karur police on Saturday arrested a cattle trader for possessing a pistol purchased illegally from Bihar for his protection from his rivals.

During a vehicle check on Friday night, the Mayanur police intercepted a man loitering suspiciously. The man, Padmanaban (44) of Krishnarayapuram, was found to possess a pistol and was taken to police station for further interrogation.

He said he had earned several rivals in the business, and he approached an agent and bought a pistol from Bihar for his safety. The police seized the weapon and arrested Padmanaban. On Saturday, he was produced before the Krishnarayapuram court and lodged in prison.