Guwahati, 25 February (HS): In view of the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly general elections, the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration has issued a directive imposing restrictions on carrying and storing arms within the district to ensure the election process is conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.

The order has been issued by the District Magistrate and District Commissioner of Kamrup Metro under provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, specifically Sections 17(3)(b) and 21(1). As per the directive, all individuals holding valid arms licences must deposit their licensed weapons along with ammunition at their respective police stations within seven days from the date of issuance of the order.

The deposited arms will remain in police custody until one week after the declaration of election results, that is, until the completion of the entire electoral process. Licence holders depositing their weapons will be issued a receipt by the officer-in-charge of the concerned police station for each weapon, and the arms will be returned after the stipulated period.

Any organisation, institution, department or individual seeking exemption from the directive must submit a written application to the Office of the District Commissioner, clearly mentioning the arms licence number, Unique Identification Number (UIN), weapon number and valid reasons for seeking exemption, to enable necessary consideration.

The administration has warned that failure to deposit licensed arms within the specified period will invite legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as well as relevant provisions of the Arms Act.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash