Deadline Ends, 20 pc Fail to Deposit Licensed Arms

At least 20 per cent of licensed weaponholders in the Hyderabad and Cyberabad commissionerate limits have failed to deposit their weapons in view of the general election even though the deadline for doing so ended on Sunday.The police will issue notices to them, demanding their explanation for failure to deposit their arms. About half of the licensed weapon holders are residents of Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and the old city in Hyderabad, and in Madhapur in Cyberabad. According to higher police officials, bind-over, non-bailable warrants and regular checks have been intensified in the two police commissionerate limits to prevent untoward incidents. Police seized Rs 2.50 crore unaccounted-for money in Hyderabad and Rs 1.10 crore in Cyberabad. Additional police commissioner (law & order) Anjani Kumar told Express that at least 80 per cent of licensed arms holders  deposited their arms with the inspectors concerned and authorised arms dealers in the city. Of the 4,500 licensed weapons in the city, over 3,800 have been deposited. The deposited weapons may be taken back on or after May 28 at the end of the election process. In Cyberabad, at least 15 per cent of weapons are yet to be deposited by licensed holders. Of the 1,400, more than 1,300 weapons have been deposited.At least 1,200 persons were bound over,  153 non-bailable warrants executed, 32 cases registered for poll code violation and Rs 1.10 crore cash was seized during regular checks, Cyberabad joint commissioner of police Y Gangadhar told Express.To ensure security during the 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. A majority of licensed gun-holders in the Hyderabad commissionerate are film personalities, realtors, businessmen and some  top executives of the information technology sector.A number of ‘shadow teams’ comprising senior police officials assisted by head-constables have been formed to cover the movements of political leaders. The Hyderabad police registered cases against several leaders of MIM, TRS and TDP for violation of code of conduct.

By Moule Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com