Rifles found in private office in Coimbatore

Weapons should be surrendered in view of elections

Police personnel on Tuesday raided a private office in Masakkalipalayam area and found 12 rifles stored on the premises.

Security

According to police, the private firm is involved in providing security/ escort for transfer of cash from the bank to the Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) across the city and also in providing guards to the strong rooms in banks.

In view of the Lok Sabha elections, the district administration and the police have already asked the arms and licence holders to surrender their weapons as a matter of precaution.

Permission

But institutions that require the fire-arms for security reasons have been asked to write to the police and get exemption for retaining the weapons.

Police are trying to find out whether the firm had sought any exemption for retention of weapons and also whether the fire arms were licensed.