Assam OKs Arms Licences for Indigenous Border Dwellers

A special scheme has been sanctioned by the Assam Cabinet to provide arms licences to residents of vulnerable remote areas near Bangladesh’s border. Many Bangladeshi-origin immigrant Muslims live in these areas. The goal is to help native communities overcome threats and attacks from across the boundary happening due to recent happenings. The intention is to improve personal security, discourage violence and give vulnerable people in Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara-Mankachar and Goalpara confidence.

Context:

• The new scheme allows indigenous people in Muslim-majority immigrant border areas to apply for arms licences.

• The plan is intended to shield people from illicit threats and increase personal security.

• Guiding regulations are drawn from the 1959 Arms Act which have clear standards for each class of firearms.

Key Details:

Objective

• Cover all attempts to unlawfully threaten or harm indigenous communities.

• Build personal safety measures for places where crimes are likely.

• Increase the confidence of those who lived here before.

Target Areas

• Those districts in the southern part of India that border Bangladesh are made up of mostly Muslim people brought there by immigrants: 

  • Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara.

Rules of the 1959 Arms Act

• Licences that are issued for Prohibited Bore (PB) and Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) firearms.

• Automatic and semi-automatic gun PB licences (licence for private possession) are provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

• A licence from the DM or state government is needed for NPB firearms which are not self-loading.

• Individuals in grave danger from terrorism are the only ones who may receive a PB licence.

• Licenses used by NPB are designed for self-defense, protecting homes, sports and farming.

Eligibility Criteria

• The minimum age should be 21 years.

• Has not been found guilty of violent or immoral offences.

• No court order required me to remain peaceful.

• Should be of stable physical and mental condition.

Government Initiative

• CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move was necessary because it addresses security matters.

• I have described recent transnational concerns and how neglected this issue has been since 1985.

• Said that if the law came into effect sooner, it might have stopped sellers from sending people away from their houses.

Conclusion:

The special arms licence campaign from the Assam government aims to provide security and peace to communities close to the borders. This policy makes sure that vulnerable people are safe and that guidelines under the Arms Act are obeyed. In addition to diplomacy and economic development such measures can decrease trouble between countries and help communities feel more secure. Peace and development will only be possible if the scheme is continuously followed and implemented properly.