Hyderabad: Arms Licence holders told to deposit weapons before Mar 15

Hyderabad: Ahead of ensuing general elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, Hyderabad Police on Monday asked holders of Arms Licences to deposit their weapons with Police Stations concerned or authorised Arms Dealers before March 15.

In the interest of public peace and tranquillity, all the holders of Arms Licences residing in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, except those persons employed on guard duty in the premises of Nationalised Banks, PSUs and security personnel, shall deposit their weapons, Hyderabad City Commissioner of Police Anurag Sharma said in a order.

Action will be initiated against the erring persons by confiscating the weapons and also prosecuting them under appropriate provisions of law. The weapons so deposited may be taken back by the Licence Holders on or after May 28, after completion of the election process, the Hyderabad Police chief said.

Similarly, the organisers, political parties and contesting candidates were asked to take prior permission from the Police Department to organise or conduct any meetings, processions, padayatras, rallies or mobile publicity among others to enable police to plan for smooth conduct of such events, Sharma said. In another order, the CP directed that no political party should open an election party office within 100 meters of the existing office of other political party.