In view of the Nagaland Assembly election 2023 scheduled to be held on February 27, Dimapur police on Thursday issued an order prohibiting the public from carrying arms with Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland districts.
An order issued by the Commissioner of Police and District Magistrate of Dimapur, said the move is necessary to ensure no untoward incidents occur during the conduct of Nagaland Assembly election 2023.
The prohibitory order conferred under Sections 144A of the CrPC, bars “any person from carrying arms (firearms, machete/daos, clubs, Spears, explosives, catapults or any other articles designed or adopted as weapon for offence or defense) in their possession within the District of Dimapur/Chumoukedima/Niuland with immediate effect”.
“This order is passed ex-parte due to emergent exigencies and shall remain in force till further notice,” it stated.
In a separate order, the Dimapur police have directed “all Arms Licence holders under Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland districts to deposit their licensed Arms to the nearest Police Station without fail on or before 10th February, 2023”.
“Failure to comply with this order shall invite prosecution of the licence holder under the Arms Act, 1959 and may lead to cancellation of their Arms Licence,” it stated, adding that it is necessary to ensure peaceful, free and fair poll during the general elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.