Ahead of the state elections, city police commissioner C.V. Anand, who is also the licensing authority, directed weapons licence holders in the twin cities to deposit their weapons with the police October 16.
"In the interest of public peace and tranquility, the holders of arms licences residing in the twin cities except those persons employed on guard duty in the premises of national banks, public sector undertakings and
security personnel shall deposit their weapons with the police station concerned or authorised arms dealers before October 16," Anand said in a statement.
Penal action would be initiated against those who do not comply, and their weapons would be seized, he said. The licence holders could take the weapons back after December 10, upon the completion of the election process.