Over 1,000 licence holders of firearms have deposited their weapons with the police in view of the Lok Sabha polls to be held on April 18.

After the Election Commission announced the dates for the Lok Sabha polls, a special cell for election purpose has been set up in the City Police Commissionerate to closely monitor the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, which includes the handing over of licensed firearms.

There are 2,709 licence holders spread across 14 police districts of Chennai City police. The authorities have asked all licensed gun owners to deposit their firearms.

A senior police official told The Hindu, “As many as 1,096 persons have already deposited their weapons and 856 persons are yet to deposit their guns. These deposited weapons will be kept safe in the armoury till the completion of the elections and later handed back to the owners.”

About 750 persons have been exempted.

Ex-service personnel working in banks and vital installations, security guards involved in escorting vehicles carrying cash to banks and ATMs are exempted from depositing their weapons, police said.