Armed license holders asked to deposit firearms

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: As the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect, the City Police Commissioner has asked the licensed arms holders to deposit their weapons at the respective police stations with immediate effect until the elections get over.

With the announcement of the election schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda has heightened the security in the city and has ordered vehicle checks at various checkposts established here.

Speaking at a conference on Tuesday, the city top cop prohibited possession and carrying of firearms of any kind within the city limits till the election process is completed.

He further directed all jurisdictional police inspectors to make a detailed and individual assessment and review of all license holders and instructed all arms license holders to deposit their weapons to the nearest police station immediately.

And in case if the individual license holder fails to deposit his/her arms, the concerned official should impound it. However, certain exemptions have been outlined in the order.

Those entitled to display weapons by longstanding law, custom, and usage, as well as personnel of nationalised/ private banks requiring arms for safeguarding cash chests, are exempted from the prohibition.

"The Sportsmen who are members of National Rifle Association, at different levels and have to participate in various sporting events in which they use their rifles, will be exempted from these restrictions," Dayananda added.