• A ban is also in place on production and sale of unlicensed liquor

Kathmandu, March 16 The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has appealed to licence holders to submit their arms, both small and large, for safekeeping to the nearest police unit until the May 14 local level election. A public notice issued by the DAO today said, “We request all licence holders to compulsorily submit to the DAO or the nearest police office arms obtained under the existing laws until the local level polls. Anyone who does not abide by this notice will be liable to legal action.” Earlier, the Election Commission had issued a four-point directive to the Ministry of Home Affairs, urging it to keep the licenced arms in the custody of district administration offices or police until local level polls were over. According to the MoHA, the DAOs have issued firearms licence to around 10,000 persons for the security of their lives and property. There are around 34,000 licensed firearms across the country. Similarly, the DAO has prohibited any person other than security personnel from carrying and using explosives, toxic substances, batons, spears, khukuris, rifles, pistols and other weapons. The DAO said it was part of security arrangements for the election as per the instruction from its line ministry. “It is also informed that the DAO has imposed a ban on production, sale and distribution of unlicensed liquors as it could affect holding of local polls in a free and fair manner,” read the notice.