Daringbadi: The police have stepped up efforts in this block in Kandhamal district to ensure an incident-free election, and have warned of action if anyone is found with illegal firearms.
The matter came out after Suryakanta Pradhan of Jungleghar in Badabanga panchayat walked around 15-km and handed over his licensed gun at Daringbadi police station Sunday. He said he was having the gun since 1975, but was submitting it after receiving a notice from the police station.
Police fear that as Daringbadi is a Maoist infested block there is every possibility of the guns falling into the hands of the ultras, and it might lead to a law and order situation during the polls.
The block is facing Maoist threats since 2007, but recently the ultras reasserted their presence by pasting posters and putting up banners against the local administration and the government.
The police had asked the people with firearms to hand over their guns at the police station. It also warned that action will be taken against those found possessing illegal firearms, Daringbadi IIC Alekh Gardia said. He said the order is being enforced as per the directions of the SP.
Daringbadi block has 106 booths in 25 panchayats under the jurisdiction of Daringbadi and Brahmanigaon police stations. The order is also applicable to residents of some panchayats which come under Baliguda police station limits.
The police and block officials are regularly visiting polling booths and taking stock of the law and order situation. They have identified sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths where there is a possibility of law and order problems during the polls.
The IIC said there are 90 licensed guns in his police station limits, after two of the license holders transferred their license to other police stations. Of them, 55 persons handed over their guns and cartridges at the police station by Sunday.
The remaining 35 have not handed over their guns. This happened as the notice from the police station has not yet been circulated among all residents as most of the villages are in remote corners of the block, the IIC said.
He said the police will not hesitate to take action if license holders avoid handing over their guns to police.
PNN
