INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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
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
The security plan has classified constituencies and polling centres into ‘highly sensitive&, ‘sensitive& and ‘normal& considering the
security threat.
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