The National Rifle Association (NRA), which has groomed some of India’s top shooting champions, is now at the receiving end of electoral red-tape.
It has had to cancel an all-India shooting event because its members received notices from the police asking them to surrender their weapons during the election period.
This, despite the Commission (EC) exempting the sports body from impounding its weapons during the poll season.
“Our members have not been able to practice, fearing harassment from the police. We have had to cancel the All India Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship scheduled on May 3 in Delhi,” said Ashok Pandit, general secretary of the body’s state chapter, the Maharashtra Rifle Association.
Article 324 of the Constitution empowers the Election Commission (EC) to give an order prohibiting the issuing of arms licenses during elections. The District Magistrate is also empowered to impound weapons when required to ensure the maintenance of law and order during elections.
However in 1996, the EC had exempted the sporting body from being subjected to impounding during elections.
When contacted Mahesh Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Mumbai Police PRO, said, “After some instances were brought to our notice, the Commissioner of Police for Mumbai has issued an order to all the police stations to not impound the weapons.”
