Guns Down for Poll Peace

Hyderabad: In view of the forthcoming municipal elections, police across Hyderabad’s four commissionerates and districts have issued advisories directing arms licence holders to deposit their weapons as a preventive measure to maintain public peace and tranquillity.

Officials said weapons have been deposited in several districts: Adilabad reported 29, Medak 38, Cyberabad five and Malkajgiri five. In Nalgonda, SP Sharath Chandra said 81 weapons had been surrendered and added that police would keep watch on activities in both municipal and rural areas.

Police commissionerates and district units directed licence holders to deposit their weapons with concerned police stations or authorised arms dealers. The order was issued under Section 21 of the Arms Act, 1959, in connection with the second ordinary elections to municipalities and municipal corporations scheduled for February 11.

Officials clarified that most weapons were surrendered directly at police stations, while some were deposited at authorised armories, with receipts submitted to police for record and verification. Adilabad SP Akhil Mahajan said all deposited weapons were safely secured and receipts would be returned after the election process, allowing licence holders to reclaim their arms.

The notification exempts individuals deployed on guard duty in nationalised banks, public sector undertakings and security services, where possession of firearms is mandatory. Licence holders have been instructed to deposit weapons immediately, failing which strict action, including confiscation and prosecution will be initiated. Deposited weapons can be reclaimed on or after February 15, after the conclusion of the election process.