The Home Ministry sources said that the government collected those weapons in the period of three months throughout the country. Among five different regions, the government was able to collect the highest number of weapons from Western Development Region, while the least collections were made from the Eastern Development Region. [break]
According to the Ministry sources, the government´s local authorities have collected 437 weapons from Eastern Development Region, 497 weapons from Far-Western Development Region and 1,776 weapons from Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. Similarly, the number of weapons collected from Central Development Region was 581, including 33 weapons from Kathmandu District, whereas from Western Development Region 2,542 weapons were collected.
According to Joint Secretary Shankar Prasad Koirala, spokesperson at the Home Ministry, the campaign to collect the weapons met with a very positive response as over five thousand people submitted unauthorized weapons of their own volition. "The collection of the illegally possessed weapons would certainly support the government´s effort to maintain peace and security in the country," he said, adding, "The cordial support of the people made our attempt successful."
The Home Ministry is yet to collect more weapons from various parts of the country as some people still want to submit the weapons but because of some political and legal reasons they have not submitted, according to the ministry source.
According to the Ministry, many were not familiar with the legal procedures for submitting weapons or registering them for legal possession.
If the Home Ministry plans another campaign to collect more weapons, we are ready to support the government, DIG Keshav Adhikari, spokesperson of Nepal Police said.
Following the requests by local authorities, the government on last March had issued a notice calling for submission of such illegally possessed weapons by April 29. The government had launched the campaign to collect illegally possessed weapons in order to maintain peace and security.
If someone is found possessing weapons after the extended deadline, he or she could be slapped a five-year jail term or fined Rs 100,000 or both, under the Arms and Ammunition Act-1963.
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