More than 850 in district deposit firearms with the police

More than 850 persons deposited their licensed firearms with the Thane police after instructions from the Election Commission (EC) due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, police sources told reporters here today.
Sources informed that some of them have been exempted by the police. Interestingly, about 60 per cent license holders are political leaders of various political parties, while some of them are political office bearers of different rankings.
Similarly, the Thane rural police too issued notices and accordingly 930 have surrendered their weapons to the respective police stations.
"Weapons have been deposited so that they cannot use it during elections to influence, bully or threaten voters. It also acts as a preventive measure to maintain law and order and free and fair elections," a police official said.

A senior police official said that if anyone failed to deposit arms within the specified period, they shall be liable for prosecution under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Prior to elections, a high level arms scrutiny committee was formed at the commissionerate level in which the licensed arms holders were given notices to deposit their weapons.
A receipt of depositing given to the holder and after the elections the arms are returned to the person.