Following the announcement of Assembly polls and with the imposition of Model Code of Conduct, the district administration Bokaro asked the licensed weapon holders to deposit their arms and ammunition by November 18.
District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Bokaro Mukesh Kumar said in case any license holder failed to deposit the arms, their licenses would be cancelled and appropriate action taken against them.
He said the weapon holders could deposit the same with the police station of their area or with registered gun houses as soon as possible.
In order to make the Assembly election 2019 peaceful, fear-free and clean, the arms licensees were instructed to verify their respective weapons under the district Bokaro in the past.
Action will be taken to cancel or suspend the arms license under the Arms Rules, if the weapon is not deposited by the stipulated time, between 8 November and 18 November 2019, said a district administrative official.
Arms license holders usually include bank managers, businessmen, former police officers and ex-servicemen. Many also keep guns for self- protection or status symbol.
The election code of conduct mandates arms license holders to deposit their weapons at the police station. Stern action would be taken against those who violate the rule, said the official. The District Collectors in their capacity as District Magistrates are empowered to grant a license to Non-Prohibited Bore while the Union Home Ministry is the licensing authority for Prohibited Bore arms, he said.
The Home Department has already compiled a database of arms license holders in the State. This was done in accordance with a directive from the Centre to prepare a nationwide catalog of arms license holders, said the official.
Meanwhile, few gun owners demanded exemption from the rule include mostly security guards involved in escorting vehicles carrying cash to banks and ATMs.