BHOPAL: Come elections and police in Chambal have a roomful of trouble.Stashing the thousands of licenced guns is a headache, with Bhind and Morena districts alone logging over 50,000 licensed weapons.It is a daunting task for police to take possession of all licensed guns and an even bigger bother to find space to stockpile them. So far, 30,000 firearms have already been deposited in these two districts and each police station has to clear out at least a room to stock the guns, sometimes ceiling high. The Chambal ravines have a gun culture that dates back generations and firearms are very often prized heirlooms. It’s considered a matter of honour to have a pistol or rifle at home.Chambal alone has over 80,000 licensed guns — almost as many as all of Bihar. And Bhind and Morena districts account for 63% of this civilian armoury. When all these numbers end up as stockpile at police stations, it’s a bother for the cops. Thanas have opened up counters to deal with the long queues of people coming down to deposit their weapons.Since October 6, when the model code of conduct came into force, nearly 19,500 guns have been handed over to cops in Bhind and over 10,000 in Morena. “Only around 1,400 guns are left. We are working on it and hope they too will be deposited soon,” Bhind additional SP Gurusharan Singh told TOI, adding that the maximum weapons have been handed to City Kotwali and Dehat police stations. Morena gun owners are slower in handing over their prized possessions. “Some people have not deposited their weapons as they perform ‘Shashtra Puja’ on Dussehra,” Morena SP Amit Sanghi told TOI. On an average, there are 1,000-1,400 guns in every police station area in Morena, he added. Once Dussehra is over, all the guns will be deposited within a couple of days, he believes.The rush at police stations to deposit their weapons is not only for the fear of the law, but also for the love of the weapon. People here know that if they default, everyone in their extended family who has a licence also risks losing it. Also, these are trigger-happy lands. Having a gun deposit receipt can save one a world of trouble if things go downhill and they are accused of shooting somebody, say sources. The ravines have been home to dreaded dacoits — they would rather call themselves ‘baaghis’ (rebels). But guns are not only related to pride or show of strength, they are also a source of livelihood. Men who fail to get jobs find easy employment as security guards. And guards with guns get paid more.

Stay updated with all the Bhopal Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.