CHITWAN:Only 11 licensed weapons have been returned to the local administration in Chitwan despite repeated calls to deposit firearms ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.
The local administration had urged individuals holding licensed weapons to submit them to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible election, but the response has remained far below expectations.
According to Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal, a total of 141 individuals in the district hold permits to possess firearms. The District Administration Office had issued a public notice on January 20, asking license holders to deposit their weapons within 15 days. However, most weapons have yet to be returned even after the deadline expired.
“Some of the licensed weapons may be kept outside the district, and data on weapons deposited in other districts is still being compiled,” CDO Aryal said.
He clarified that firearms used by banks for security purposes are exempt from the deposit requirement. For other license holders, arrangements have been made to deposit weapons during the election period and retrieve them after the polls.
The administration has reiterated its appeal to weapon license holders to cooperate, stressing that firearm control during elections is essential to maintaining public safety and electoral integrity.
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