Manipur District Magistrates Issue Orders for Arms Deposit Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

District Magistrates in Manipur have issued orders instructing licensed gun owners to leave their weapons at the closest police stations in order to "ensure no untoward incidents occur during the conduct of elections," following the Election Commission's announcement of the Lok Sabha election timetable.

The Election Commission declared on Saturday that Manipur's two Lok Sabha seats would come up for election on April 19 and 26.

In order to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful 18th general election to the Lok Sabha, all license holders in the Thoubal district are required to deposit their licensed firearms and ammunition to the nearest police station by March 23. If they fail to do so, the district police administration will confiscate their licenses.

Dispossession and carrying of firearms of any type by license holders is prohibited "with immediate effect till the process of elections is completed," according to a separate order issued by District Magistrate Kangpokpi Mahesh Chaudhari.

"Arrangements for safe and secure deposit of licensed arms and ammunition" was another request made.

Those "entitled to display weapons by long-standing laws, custom and usage, to those nationalised/private banks," among other people, are exempt from the orders, nonetheless.

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