Kathmandu, November 3

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has appealed to all licence holders to submit their arms, both small and large, for safekeeping to the DAO or the nearest police unit within November 16.

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 within November 16. Anyone who does not abide by this notice will be liable to legal action.” It said the the move was aimed at ensuring that the provincial and parliamentary elections are 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 are not submitted voluntarily.

The Ministry of Home Affairs have issued around 34,000 licensed firearms to various persons and organisations across the country for security of their lives and property. Kathmandu District Administration Office alone has a record of 13,322 firearms.

“Anyone who does not abide by this order will be liable to legal action as it could affect the holding of elections in a free and fair manner. The failure to surrender registered firearms shall be considered disobedience to the state and will be dealt with accordingly,” stated the notice.

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 arrangement for the elections as per the instruction from its line ministry.

“The DAO has also imposed a ban on production, sale and distribution of unlicensed liquor,” read the notice. During the local level polls, very few licence holders had complied with the government’s order to submit their firearms. An official at the MoHA said only 889 licensed arms were received by the DAOs and police units across the country.