For the upcoming Gram Panchayat elections in the State, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate N. Jayaram has ordered that all categories of licensed arms in the district be deposited in the concerned jurisdictional police station immediately.
The jurisdictions which are exceptions to this notice are: Belagavi City Corporation; City Municipal Councils of Nipani and Gokak; Town Municipal Councils of Athani, Bailhongal, Chikkodi, Ramdurg, Mudalgi, Sankeshwar and Savadatti.
Failing to deposit the arms would amount to violation of the order and invite prosecution under Section 188 of IPC, he said.
However, official sources in the district administration said here on Thursday that all the nationalised banks and financial institutions transporting large amount of cash, security agencies providing security services to various organisations and institutions in the district and private gunmen hired by individuals have been exempted from this notice.
Even the carrying of licensed arms from the announcement of election till the declaration of the results has been banned under Section 144 of CrPC, 1973. Issue of license for arms have also been prohibited during the election period.
