Shimla, May 26
Amid heightened security arrangements for the ongoing Panchayat, Municipal and Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla police have registered two separate cases against licensed weapon holders for allegedly failing to deposit their firearms despite repeated administrative directions.
The cases were registered at Police Station Rohru and Police Station Chidgaon on May 25 under Section 223(B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Arms Act.
According to police, the District Magistrate, Shimla, had issued orders directing all licensed arms holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police station, police post or authorized gun house till completion of the election process to ensure peaceful and fair polling.
Police said more than 90 per cent of the licensed weapons in the district had already been deposited in compliance with the orders.
To implement the directions effectively, special drives were conducted by Police Station Rohru and Police Station Chidgaon. Authorities also introduced a mobile collection facility for residents living in remote and inaccessible areas. Besides this, awareness regarding mandatory deposit of weapons was spread through phone calls and social media campaigns.
However, during verification it was found that some licensed arms holders in the Rohru and Chidgaon areas had failed to deposit their weapons despite repeated notices and administrative instructions.
Following this, Police Station Rohru registered Case No. 55/2026 under Section 223(B) of the BNS, while Police Station Chidgaon registered Case No. 50/2026 under Section 223(B) of the BNS along with Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.
Police stated that investigations in both cases are underway.
The district administration has once again appealed to all remaining licensed weapon holders to deposit their firearms immediately and cooperate with authorities till the election process concludes. Officials said strict action would be taken against violators to maintain law and order during the rural local body elections.
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