According to police sources, many gun owners had deposited their guns during the elections.
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Of the total 4,148 licensed weapons deposited at the facility before elections in previous years, 2,039 guns have been deposited ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, the 406 unclaimed firearms present here include 70 old muzzle-loading guns dating back to the 1857 rebellion.
“The heirs of owners who have passed away are not claiming these guns because of the difficult process of gun transfer. Besides, due to frequent elections there has been accumulation of firearms in the police station,” said lawyer Manoj Singh.
“This effectively makes the police station an 'old age home for weapons'. People believe that it is safe that the weapons are kept in the police station as it cannot be used for any wrongdoing,” said Singh, representing two persons who had appealed to get back their weapons. Had refused.
He said the process of collecting and retrieving weapons is difficult due to the frequency of elections.
According to records, of the 406 unclaimed guns, 30 were deposited during the 200 assembly elections, 100 during the 2007-2009 elections, 200 during the 2012-2012 elections and six during the 2017 elections.
SHO Sumi Kumar Singh said the 'old' guns used in 1857 were deposited about 25 years ago.
“Notices have been sent to the owners, but no one responded,” said an official.
He said, “After the Lok Sabha elections, notices will be pasted on the houses of those who have collected these guns. If they do not take them back, the police will be forced to initiate legal action,” said Ranjit Kumar, ACP, Ghatampur.
“Imagine how much space and protection guns require. This is a task for us,” he added.
,
Of the total 4,148 licensed weapons deposited at the facility before elections in previous years, 2,039 guns have been deposited ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, the 406 unclaimed firearms present here include 70 old muzzle-loading guns dating back to the 1857 rebellion.
“The heirs of owners who have passed away are not claiming these guns because of the difficult process of gun transfer. Besides, due to frequent elections there has been accumulation of firearms in the police station,” said lawyer Manoj Singh.
“This effectively makes the police station an 'old age home for weapons'. People believe that it is safe that the weapons are kept in the police station as it cannot be used for any wrongdoing,” said Singh, representing two persons who had appealed to get back their weapons. Had refused.
He said the process of collecting and retrieving weapons is difficult due to the frequency of elections.
According to records, of the 406 unclaimed guns, 30 were deposited during the 200 assembly elections, 100 during the 2007-2009 elections, 200 during the 2012-2012 elections and six during the 2017 elections.
SHO Sumi Kumar Singh said the 'old' guns used in 1857 were deposited about 25 years ago.
“Notices have been sent to the owners, but no one responded,” said an official.
He said, “After the Lok Sabha elections, notices will be pasted on the houses of those who have collected these guns. If they do not take them back, the police will be forced to initiate legal action,” said Ranjit Kumar, ACP, Ghatampur.
“Imagine how much space and protection guns require. This is a task for us,” he added.
