Imphal: Licensed firearm holders in Thoubal District, Manipur have been ordered to deposit their weapons and ammunition ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This directive as per officials aims to ensure a peaceful voting process.
The Election Commission of India announced the 18th General Election schedule following which the Thoubal District administration issued an office memorandum.
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The order read that all gun licenses within the district are now subject to temporary surrender.
Firearms and cartridges must be deposited at the nearest police station by March 23, 2024. District Magistrate A Subhash Singh.
The order issued was effective immediately.
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Failure to comply will result in confiscation of licensed arms and ammunition by the Thoubal District police under Section 21 of the Arms Act, 1959.
Individuals seeking to appeal this directive have until March 20, 2024, to submit a written justification for retaining their licensed firearms to concerned officials.