11
Kathmandu, November 23
The Ministry of Home Affairs has appealed to all licence holders to submit their firearms, both small and large, for safekeeping with local police units within November 26.
A public notice issued by the MoHA said, &We request all licence holders to submit firearms obtained under Section 8 of the Arms and Ammunition Act-1962 to the nearest police office by November 20.
Anyone, who does not abide by this notice, will be liable to legal action.& It said the move was aimed at ensuring that by-elections scheduled for November 30 were held in a free, fair and peaceful environment.
The firearms will be returned to the concerned licence holders after the elections are over.
Police have been authorised to reach out to the concerned persons to collect licensed firearms and initiate action against them if they do not submit the firearms voluntarily.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued around 34,000 licensed firearms to various persons and organisations through the district administration offices across the country for security of their lives and property.
&Anyone who does not abide by this order will be liable to legal action as it could create difficulty in holding elections in a free and fair manner.
Failure to surrender firearms shall be considered disobedience to the state and will be dealt with accordingly,& stated the notice.
The by-elections will be held in 37 districts on November 30 for 52 vacant posts of people representatives — one member of the House of Representatives, three provincial assembly members and 48 chiefs, deputy chiefs and ward chairs of local levels.
Nominations of candidates for by-elections of local levels will be held on Wednesday.
The districts where the by-elections will be held are Panchthar, Bhojpur, Sunsari, Morang, Sankhuwasabha, Khotang, Saptari, Siraha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Lamjung, Kaski, Baglung, Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta East), Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Dang, Banke, Salyan, Humla, Bajura, Achham, Doti, Kanchanpur and Baitadi.
Similarly, the DAOs concerned have prohibited any person other than security personnel from carrying and using explosives, toxic substances, batons, spears, khukuris, rifles, pistols and other weapons.
The DAOs said it was part of security arrangement for the elections as per the instruction from its line ministry.
DAOs have also imposed a ban on production, sale and distribution of unlicensed liquor.
The MoHA has endorsed a security plan with necessary amendments to ensure free, fair and fearless environment for the upcoming by-elections.
The security plan was outlined for integrated mobilisation of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department.
It will be in place until the victory rally of political parties following the announcement of final results of the by-elections.
According to the MoHA, the number of security personnel manning the polling stations will depend on the area and population.
Nepal Police has been given the responsibility of a first responder if any untoward incident takes place.
Nepal Police will be deployed inside the polling centres while APF and NA will man the second and the outermost rings respectively, said the MoHA.
The security plan has classified constituencies and polling centres into ‘highly sensitive&, ‘sensitive& and ‘normal& considering the security threat.
The post Licence holders told to submit firearms by November 26 appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
Nepal
Licence holders told to submit firearms by November 26
Download Android App
Share in 
FullScreen CheckVideos
| Unlimited Portal Access + Monthly Magazine - 12 issues-Publication from Jan 2021 |
Buy Our Merchandise (Peace Series)
- Details
- Category: Nepal
13