Lok Sabha Election-2024 : More than 850 illegal weapons seized, 1.53 lakh licensed weapons deposited
Jaipur. To conduct Lok Sabha elections in free, fair and fearless manner in Rajasthan, the law and order situation is being closely monitored across the state. Accordingly, the state police have so far seized 852 illegal weapons and more than 1.53 lakh licensed weapons have been collected to keep them in the safe custody till the elections are over. In the context of election-related activities, Rajasthan Police sends reports to the Election Commission of India on regular basis.
Chief Electoral Officer Shri Praveen Gupta said that the state police was continuously active to seize illegal weapons, arrest wanted criminals or collect even the licensed-weapons for the period of elections since March 16 onwards. As soon as the Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha General Elections-2024 came into effect, the police started taking action for identification and banning of suspected persons who may influence the process of election in any manner, he added.
According to the latest report in this regard, the state police has so far seized 852 illegal weapons, 412 cartridges, 1,298 kg of explosive material and 7 IEDs (bombs). A raid has also been conducted on an illegal arms manufacturing factory. Shri Gupta further said that the state police have deposited 1,53,844 out of total 1,62,777 licensed weapons in various police stations across the state. 1,692 arms’ licenses have been cancelled and 46 other licenses have been confiscated.
More than 1.13 lakh people bound down —
The Chief Electoral Officer said that the police bound down 38,042 persons under sections 107, 108, 110 and 151 etc. of the Criminal Procedure Code. Similarly, 87,971 persons were bound down under the above sections of the Code along with sections 109 and 116(3). During this period, notices are also being served to persons with criminal history.
According to Shri Gupta, Rajasthan Police identified a total of 1,400 dhanis in the state as vulnerable and 4,321 persons suspected to be instigating trouble during elections. Also, 297 intra-state and 229 inter-state police checkpoints have been set-up in Rajasthan. A total of 3,784 vigilance teams are also active across the state for ensuring elections in a fair and transparent manner which is free from any inducements or use of money-power.