Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 has been clamped in Thoubal district, Manipur with effect from Saturday and shall remain till the completion of the 18th General Election to Lok Sabha, 2024.
The order issued by Thoubal District Magistrate A Subhash Singh stated that possession and carrying of weapons of any kind, spears, swords, brickbats, lathis and other lethal weapons by the general public in Thoubal district is prohibited.
Any violation of this order is punishable by legal action under section 188 of IPC and other relevant provisions by law, it stated.
This ban shall not be applicable to those persons, who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law i.e., to Nationalized/Private Banks, where arms are necessary to safeguard cash chests. Also, those sports persons who are registered with the National Rifle Association carrying sports grade arms will be exempted, it stated.
It further said that the Election Commission of India issued instructions that District Magistrate shall make a detailed and individual review and assessment of all licensed arms holders, so that licensed arms in those cases, where they consider it essential are impounded in order to ensure maintenance of law and order so essential for ensuring free and fair elections.
The Election Commission of India, also instructed that prohibitory orders under section 144 of Cr.P.C., 1973, shall be issued banning the carrying of licensed arms as soon as an election is announced and should be effective till the declaration of results, it stated.
There is sufficient ground for proceeding under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, to prohibit carrying of firearms, spears, swords, brickbats, lathis and other lethal weapons by the public during the election period, which may be detrimental to public peace and tranquility and may pose threat to peaceful conduct of free and fair elections, it stated.
The emergent nature of the case and circumstances to not permit serving of notice to the concerned in due time and hence this order is passed ex parte under section 144 (2) of Criminal Procedure Code, it added.
