20 % of licensed gun owners yet to deposit arms

At least 20 per cent of licensed gunholders in Hyderabad commissionerate limits have not deposited their weapons with the police though they have been asked to do so in view of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections on November 23. Meanwhile, 700 history-sheeters were bound over (surrendering and reporting at a police station) out of the existing 1,000. Most of the history-sheeters are from the South Zone (Old City) in Hyderabad, according to police reports. At least 5,000 people have licensed guns under the Hyderabad Commissionerate limits. There are 1,000 history-sheeters in this zone. In the Cyberabad commissionerate on the other hand, there are 1,200 well-known citizens who have obtained gun licenses. And there are 300 history-sheeters. To ensure security during the GHMC elections, both Hyderabad and Cyberabad police asked licensed gun-holders to deposit their weapons and history-sheeters have been asked to report at police stations. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao told Expresso that as many as 80 per cent of licensed gun holders deposited their guns at police stations while 60 per cent of history-sheeters have reported at police stations. “We sent notices to all gun holders. A few are not in the city right now. At least 20 per cent of the gun holders are yet to deposit their firearms,” he said. A majority of licensed gun-holders in the Hyderabad Commissionerate are from the film fraternity, realtors, businessmen and some are the top brass belonging to the Information Technology sector. “As many as 700 history-sheeters were bound over (reporting at concerned police stations) and police operations to nab rest have begun. The history-sheeters are being counselled everyday to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the GHMC elections,” Prasada Rao said. In the Cyberabad Commissionerate limits, at least 1,217 gun license holders have submitted their weapons. As many as 250 history- sheeters have reported at the police stations. “As of now, no case has been registered and we have not received even a single complaint from the public on violation of election code and conduct,” said Prasada Rao. A number of ‘shadow teams’ each comprising senior police officials assisted by head-constables have been formed to cover the movements of political leaders. By MOULI MAREEDU