In a move aimed at ensuring peaceful and impartial conduct of the upcoming Village Committee elections, Sepahijala District Magistrate Dr. Siddhartha Shiv Jaiswal has directed all licensed firearm holders in the district to deposit their weapons and ammunition with the concerned police stations.

As per the order, all licensed firearms and ammunition must be deposited by September 10, 2026. The directive will remain effective until the completion of the entire election process.

The order has been issued under the powers conferred by the Arms Act, 1959, as part of preventive measures to maintain law and order during the elections.

However, personnel belonging to the police, paramilitary forces and armed forces on duty, along with armed forest guards and bank security personnel, have been exempted from the directive.

The District Magistrate has warned that anyone found retaining firearms or ammunition beyond the stipulated deadline will face legal action under the applicable laws.

The administration said the measure is intended to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that the Village Committee elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere.