Amritsar, Mar. 21 : Punjab authorities have asked local licensed arms holders to deposit their arms to ensure fair and safe polling.

According to standard election norms in India, arm holders are asked to deposit their arms temporarily in their area''s local police station or to arms dealers.

"It is government''s policy to get the arms deposited that people cannot resort to unfair means during the elections," said Balwinder Singh, an arms dealer.

"The common man is not affected by this rule. It is the miscreants who indulge in anti-social activities who are affected by this rule," said Bhupinder Singh Prince, an arm owner.

Folowing the Mumbai terror attacks last November, authorities in Punjab are leaving no stone unturned to ensure security for the elections.

Over two million security personnel will be deployed across the nation during the poll period from April 16 to May 13. (ANI)