BAITADI: A total of 387 loaded guns have been handed over to the District Administration Office in Baitadi ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
The administration had earlier requested the return of all licensed weapons and ammunition to ensure a secure election environment.
Baldev Badu, Information Officer at the District Police Office Baitadi, stated that the collected firearms were gathered through the coordinated efforts of the District Police Office and its subordinate units, using both on-ground mobilization and social media announcements.
The administration had initially issued a notice requiring licensed weapons to be returned. However, not all weapons were submitted by that deadline. Binod Bhattarai, Information Officer at the District Administration Office, said that in light of election security concerns, the notice has been extended until February first week to allow remaining license holders to comply.
According to the office, 1,086 weapons licenses have been issued in Baitadi, but only 452 licenses have been renewed in the current fiscal year. The police have assured that all collected guns will be securely stored during the election period and returned to their respective owners after the elections conclude.
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