Licensed gun owners ordered to deposit firearms by Feb 13

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

In anticipation of the election code of conduct, North Goa District Collector Vikas Gaunekar Tuesday issued an order directing all licensed gun owners to deposit their firearms with the nearest police station by February 13.

The order has been issued by the Collector under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, by which he has imposed a complete ban on carrying of all types of arms, firearms, ammunition and lethal weapons in any public place, street, road square, thoroughfare, bylane or in any open space in the entire North Goa district with immediate effect to ensure free, fair, peaceful and orderly conduct of the election process.

The Collector also warned of stern action against those who violate the rule, which also includes cancellation/revocation of licence and confiscation of firearms in addition to criminal prosecution.

The Collector has apparently ordered precautionary measures in anticipation of the Election Commission of India’s announcement of the schedule for the ensuing by-elections to two Assembly seats following which the code of conduct will come into force. The election code of conduct mandates that arms licence holders should deposit their weapons at the police station.

“As required by the Election Commission of India, district administration is required to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of by-elections in the

North Goa district,” the order reads.

“All the arms licence holders in North Goa district are directed to deposit all their firearms at the nearest police station of their respective jurisdiction immediately and in no case after February 13, 2019. All the firearms deposited will be returned to the licence holders after live days from counting i.e. after the election process is over,” the order reads.

However, this rule will not be applicable to security guards involved in escorting vehicles carrying cash to banks and ATMs, public servants/police/defence personnel and security personnel on duty/sportspersons who are members of National Rifle Association of India and to those members of the community who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law, custom and usage.

There are over 2,000 arms licence holders in the entire North Goa district which mainly includes businessmen, former police officers and ex-servicemen. Many also keep guns for self-protection or status symbol. Some have secured licence for crop protection.