The authorities have been taking proactive measures to prevent potential disturbances in the state amid the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.
Representational Image. File Pic
From March 16 to May 9, 2024, the UP police department seized 536 licenced firearms from criminals in adherence to the Election Commission's directive. Further, 4,705 firearm licences have been revoked and deposited, reported news agency ANI.
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As per reports, the authorities have issued notices under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to restrict the movements of 27,20,387 individuals, with 24,48,726 individuals complying with the ban. Theses efforts are being made to proactively preventing potential disturbances amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.
Moreover, the police department has confiscated 9,059 unlicensed firearms, 9,149 cartridges, 3019.32 kilograms of explosives, and 522 bombs. Raids were conducted on 4016 centres manufacturing illegal firearms by the police, and 173 centres were seized.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, said that along with the announcement of the election dates for the Lok Sabha General Elections 2024 the Model Code of Conduct is effectively implemented throughout the state to ensure free, fair, peaceful, fear-free, impartial, inclusive, and safe voting. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on March 16, 2024 that the country will go to polls in seven phases for the Lok Sabha elections, starting from April 19 and ending o June 1; the results will be announced on June 4. With this, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect effectively.
In compliance with the instructions of the ECI, action is being taken by Police, Income Tax, Excise, Narcotics and other departments. For thorough scrutiny, 464 interstate check posts and 1728 intrastate check posts are operational.
In addition, on May 9, 2024, the police department revoked and deposited the license of one firearm belonging to a criminal. Taking preventive action under CrPC, 32,124 people were banned. Furthermore, 63 unlicensed firearms, 65 cartridges, and 8 bombs were seized. Police raided 38 centres manufacturing illegal firearms and seized one centre.
Uttar Pradesh, the political heartland of the country, has the the largest number of constituencies contributing 80 seats to the Lok Sabha. The state will continue to go to polls till the last phase on June 1. The next and 5th phase will be held on 20th May and 14 seats from the state will be up for polling.