Local Body Elections to Puducherry Legislative Assembly will be in three phases on 21-10-2021, 25-10-2021 and 28-10-2021 and consequent to this announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has came into force with immediate effect

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No. 215 Poudouchéry Mardi 28 Septembre 2021 (6 Asvina 1943)

No. Puducherry Tuesday 28th September 2021

GOVERNMENT OF PUDUCHERRY

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE AT PUDUCHERRY

ORDER

(Under Section 144 of Cr.P.C.)

Whereas, the State Election Commission, Puducherry, has announced on 22-09-2021, that Local Body Elections to Puducherry Legislative Assembly will be in three phases on 21-10-2021, 25-10-2021 and 28-10-2021 and consequent to this announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has came into force with immediate effect;

And whereas, the State Election Commission, Puducherry vide its order No. 1-5/SEC/CE/L&O/C4/2021, dated 22-09-2021, has 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;

And whereas, there is sufficient ground for proceeding under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, to prohibit carrying of fire arms 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;

And whereas, all the Station House Officers shall make a detailed and individual review and assessment of all licence holders and all the arms licence holders shall deposit their weapons with the nearest Police Station immediately and in case, if, the individual licence holder fails to deposit their arms, the Station House Officer shall impound them. The Station House Officer shall furnish a detailed report on such deposit and seizure;

And whereas, this ban shall not be applicable to those persons, who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law i.e., to Nationalised/Private Banks, where arms are necessary to safeguard cash chest. Also sports persons who are members of National Rifle Association at different levels and have to participate in various sporting events, in which they use their rifles, will be exempted;

Now, therefore, I, Purva Garg, I.A.S., District Magistrate, Puducherry, do hereby prohibit possession and carrying of fire arms and other lethal weapons by the general public in the District of Puducherry with effect from 23-09-2021.

Any violation of this order is punishable by legal action under section 188 of IPC and other relevant provisions by law.

Further, this order will be inforce till the completion of the Local Body Elections-2021 in Puducherry.

The emergent nature of case and circumstances do 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, 1973.

Puducherry, dated the 23rd day of September 2021.

PURVA GARG, I.A.S.,

District Magistrate.

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