Baripada: Rasgobindpur police arrested two college students with counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 denomination from a local market on Tuesday.

The accused persons, both 19-year-old from Balasore district, have been identified as Dhananjay Das of Gadapada in Rupsa police limits and Tarun Jena of Kundei village in Basta police limits.

When the duo handed over a note of Rs 2,000 to a shopkeeper after buying clothes, it raised a doubt. After verifying the note with other shopkeepers it was found to be fake. Immediately, the duo were caught and searched. Five more counterfeit notes were found from them. The students were then handed over to the police.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the duo were Plus Two first-year students in a college at Betnati. Rasgobindpur police station inspector-in-charge Tilottama Rout said: "The six counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 denomination were seized from their possession. During interrogation, both of them said they had brought the currency from their home which they received after selling paddy."

"Since fake currency notes were found from their possessions, they are booked under various sections for possessing counterfeit notes, cheating and dishonesty," she said.

An advocate said a racket might be using these students.

"The criminals have chosen to circulate them at the local markets in Mayurbhanj," he said.