KOCHI: Is the security of about 500 high-profile people who face threat to their lives at stake? With the authorities directing them to deposit their guns and licences in view of the polls, they fear that they are vulnerable to attack.
The armouries in the city are bustling with activity as arms licence holders make their way to deposit their weapons there.
A licensee, on condition of anonymity, said, “Asking us to deposit our weapons at armouries for over a month will jeopardise our security. We fear that our enemies will take advantage of this.” Advocate A Inees, who surrendered his weapon as per the directive of the Election Commission, shared the opinion.
“We bought the weapons to guard ourselves. We know the hiccups and difficulties in availing security from the police.
If we are forced to deposit our weapons in armouries for a long time they will not serve the purpose,” he said.
City Deputy Police Commissioner P Prakash said that they had to comply with the EC’s order. “The EC has issued a nation-wide order and we have to implement it. This is for strengthening security during the election and to prevent any untoward incidents." "We cannot allow anyone to hold a weapon at the time of election,” he said.
Cochin Armoury proprietor Sajan K Poulose said that they had started receiving guns from licensees in the last two weeks. “The licensees prefer armouries to police stations.
After depositing weapons at police stations for over a period of 30 days, they have to go through a lot procedures to get them back.” Additional District Magistrate (ADM) M Sajan said that, “When the model code of conduct came into force on March 3, we issued directives to deposit guns at police stations or armouries.” Officials said that about 427 people had deposited their guns so far. “The licence holder should secure a certificate from the armoury concerned stating that the gun has been deposited there. The weapon can be retrieved once the election results are out,” they said.
kochi@epmltd.com