Mohali authorities ask licensed arm owners to deposit weapons

District Magistrate-cum-District Electoral Officer, Aashika Jain has directed the Arms Licensees of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar to deposit their weapons with immediate effect with nearby Police Station of Arms Dealers in the wake of enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and upcoming Lok Sabha Elections-2024.

She said no fee would be chargeable against the deposition of weapons with the Police Station while a nominal fee of Rs 200 per month would have to be paid to the Arms dealer against the deposition of weapon.

Today, while reviewing the status of the deposition of Arms’ Licenses in the district, she asked ADC (G) to ensure the display of the deposition fee outside every Arms Dealer in the district to facilitate the Arms licensee. These display notices should also be randomly checked, she instructed the SDMs.

The District Magistrate further said that a prohibitory order dated March 16, 2024, under section 144 of the CrPC has already been in force in the district regarding a ban on carrying firearms, ammunition, explosives inflammable items and sharp weapons.

She said that non-compliance with this order would be legally actionable and may lead to prosecution under the appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant laws.

However, this order would not comply with personnel of the army, paramilitary forces and police personnel in uniform bank guards and cash and carry vehicles of banks who are duly authorized and carrying arms as part of their official duty. National Rifle Association members would also be exempted vide ECI order no. 464/L&O/2007/PLN-1 dated 08.01.2017.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Viraj S Tidke, Assistant Commissioner (G) Davy Goyal and Election Tehsildar Sanjay Kumar were also present in the meeting.