TARN TARAN, May 12 — For the upcoming Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections, District Magistrate Rahul has prohibited the carrying of all licensed firearms and ammunition within the sub-divisions of Patti and Bhikhiwind. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code 2023, aims to preserve public peace and ensure a smooth voting process for the residents of the district.
The District Magistrate stated that all arms license holders who receive a formal notice based on the District Screening Committee’s recommendations must deposit their weapons at local police stations or with authorized dealers. This directive requires compliance within seven days of receiving the notification. The ban is scheduled to remain in effect until May 29, 2026, coinciding with the official declaration of the election results.
“It is imperative to ban the carrying of any type of licensed weapons to conduct the elections in a peaceful manner,” the District Magistrate affirmed. He noted that the State Election Commission has scheduled the polling for May 26, 2026. While the general public must comply with these restrictions, exemptions have been granted to uniformed military, police, and paramilitary personnel, as well as government employees required to carry weapons for official duties.
The order also exempts competitive shooters affiliated with the National Rifle Association who must participate in sporting events. Additionally, those categories previously cleared by the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission are excluded from the mandate. The administration affirmed that these measures are essential to safeguard the interests of the people during the electoral period in Municipal Council Patti and Nagar Panchayat Bhikhiwind.
