Arm license holders asked to submit arms
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 16 2024: District Magistrates (DMs) of Bishnupur and Thoubal have asked arm license holders to surrender their licenced arms in view of announcement of election schedule for the 18th General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024 .

In an order issued on Saturday, DM Bishupur Lourembam Bikram prohibited possession and carrying of fire arms of any kind by arms license holders within the revenue jurisdiction of Bishnupur district with immediate effect and till the process of elections is completed.

He also directed all the officers in-charge of the police stations functioning within the revenue jurisdiction of Bishnupur district to make detailed and individual assessment and review of all licence holders and instructed all arms license holders to deposit their weapons with the nearest police station immediately and in case, if the individual license holder fails to deposit his/her arms, the OC concerned should impound it.

This order shall not be applicable to those, who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law, custom and usage, to those nationalised/private banks, where arms are necessary to safeguard cash chest and also to those sports persons who are registered with National Rifle Association.

However, individual exemption order should have to be obtained immediately, it added.

On the other hand, DM Thoubal A Subhash ordered that all arms licensees of Thoubal district should deposit their licensed arms to the nearest police stations concerned on or before March 23, failing which their licensed arms and ammunitions will be confiscated by the district police until further order.

In an order issued on Saturday, DM Thoubal directed that issue of fresh arms licenses as well as process of application of arms license has been banned with the announcement of poll schedule for the Lok Sabha Election, 2024 .

Any individual who desires to appeal against this order may submit his/her written justification for retaining his/her licensed arms to his office on or before March 20 during office hours, it said.

Comment