Arms licence portal for indigenous citizens in sensitive areas soon: CM

Time of India

2 days ago

Guwahati: Assam govt is preparing to launch a dedicated online portal that will allow original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens of the state residing in sensitive areas to apply for arms licences, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday.
In a post on X, Sarma said the initiative is aimed at addressing security concerns among indigenous communities living in vulnerable regions "who perceive a threat to their lives".
According to the guidelines shared by the CM, applicants must be "original inhabitants or Indigenous Indian citizens of Assam" who "perceive a genuine threat to life and safety due to the vulnerability of the area of residence".
Eligibility also extends to those residing in vulnerable or remote areas as notified by the district administration or assessed as such by authorized security agencies.
The process for granting arms licences will involve security assessment, verification and vetting, compliance with existing laws, non-transferability, and periodic monitoring and reporting.
The decision to enable arms licensing for indigenous residents was taken during the state cabinet meeting on May 28, with the objective of instilling a sense of security in communities living in high-risk zones.
Sarma had earlier identified several such areas, including Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon, South Salmara-Mankachar, Rupahi, Dhing, and Jania — regions with significant minority populations.