Shimla, April 28 -- In a bid to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the upcoming local body elections, the District Magistrate of Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, has ordered the mandatory deposit of all licensed firearms across the district, citing apprehensions of breach of peace and possible misuse of weapons during the election period.

The order, issued on April 28, comes in the wake of the announcement of election schedules for Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Gram Panchayats by the State Election Commission, following which the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the state.

According to the directive, all arms licence holders residing in Shimla district, except those within the Shimla Municipal Council area, have be...