It will give a sense of security to indigenous people: CM
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma today launched a scheme for the grant of arm licences through the Sewa Setu Portal to original inhabitants and indigenous people living in vulnerable and remote areas in Assam.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said, "Assam has several areas where the indigenous people have been literally boxed in by people belonging to a particular faith. Despite being under pressure, these indigenous people of Assam continue to cling to their ancestral lands. This special scheme will help such citizens to empower themselves against any covert and overt design of aggression on them."
The Chief Minister said, "The state still has many remote areas where the police find it difficult to reach in time when anything adverse happens. Getting arm licences will help the indigenous people in such areas to make arrangements for their self-defence till the arrival of the police when there is any untoward incident. Arms in hand will naturally give a sense of security to such indigenous people."
The Chief Minister said, "We're concerned over the demographic change taking place in the state. The situation has come to such a pass as the indigenous people keep selling their ancestral lands to people belonging to other faiths. The few indigenous people who are bold enough to withstand the pressure from the people of the particular faith continue to feel the heat."
The Chief Minister said, "Issuing arm licenses is a routine scheme, and it has nothing exceptional. It was, however, stalled for a certain period because of the Assam Agitation and insurgent activities by the ULFA. Providing licences will follow all rules and regulations under the Arms Act, 1959. District commissioners and senior superintendents of police will minutely scrutinize the applications for arm licences. An applicant will get a licence for arms only after fulfilling all the criteria of the Act."
The Chief Minister said, "The scheme is very positive, as it could also help the citizens in their cause of self-defence. It marks a significant step in our government's commitments to ensure citizens' safety, transparency in governance, and empowerment of original inhabitants and indigenous citizens. I appeal to the public to make responsible use of this facility and assure everyone that strict monitoring, periodic review, and legal safeguards are built into the scheme to prevent any misuse."
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