Elections 2019: Licensed gun holders asked to deposit weapons in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of 2019 polls scheduled to commence from April 11, the Commissionerate police has issued notices to all the licensed gun owners in the Smart city to deposit their weapons at their respective police stations.

According to government figures, there are 1702 licensed weapon holders under different police stations in Bhubaneswar. Following the notice by Commissionerate Police, 580 weapons including pistols, revolvers and .12-bore revolvers have already been deposited.

While Khandagiri police has recorded a highest deposit of 58 weapons so far, a total of 55, 53, 44 and 38 gun licenses holders have deposited their weapons at Laxmi Sagar, Nayapalli, Badagada and Jatani police stations respectively. However, 1129 licensed arms are yet to be deposited with police.

Commenting on the issue, DCP Anup Sahoo said that police have already served notices to all licensed firearms holders and legal action will be taken against those who will not comply with the notice. "We have issued notice to deposit weapons within a week. Action will be taken against those who will not deposit their arms within the deadline," said Sahoo.

Moreover, the Smart city police so far (from February 1 to March 11) has arrested at least 684 persons against whom non-bailable warrants were pending.

Besides, the cops have seized 137 grams of brown sugar and arrested 15 persons. In a special drive against illegal firearm trade, the Commnissionerate Police has seized 10 pistols and recovered over 16 rounds of live bullets and arrested seven persons in this connection.

“We have kept a vigil eye on illegal arms trade in the city. Efforts are also on to dispose off the pending cases at the earliest,” Sahoo added.