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| Distributed arms licenses like 'chocolates, candies' | | NC-Cong regime promoted elite gun culture | | Fazal Khan
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 23: Recent revelation made by the State's Home Ministry in the Legislative Assembly that Government issued more than 1 lakh gun licenses in JK during the past 5-years indicates that erstwhile NC-Cong regime promoted "elite gun culture" in the state as an ordinary citizen cannot afford to buy expensive arms and ammunition.
Responding to a question of MLA Banihal, Viqar Rasool, Minister in- charge Home department said that during past 5 years, 1,17,905 arms licences were issued by the respective District Magistrates.
While disclosing the criteria set for issuing licenses, the reply stated: "Arms licenses are issued to civilians, army and security personnel for self protection as per the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 1962."
Sources told Early Times it was for the first time since 1990 that so many gun licenses were issued. "Many people were given the licenses due to their influence and political backing," they added.
The former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who was also the Home Minister of the state, according to the sources, "Never raised any query about why so many arms licenses were issued."
An insider revealed, the former chief minister not paying much heed towards these important issues encouraged the officials in the Home Department to call the shots and have their own way. "Prior to Omar taking the charge of the Home department, getting a gun license was a Herculean task and the people who faced any threat were provided adequate security but not the guns," the insider added.
"During the erstwhile NC-Cong regime number of protected persons increased manifolds and the gun licenses were also distributed freely. If the new government conducts a probe to ascertain who all are all holding the gun licenses it would come to know that most of these have been issued to the people who also enjoy security cover provided by the JK Police," sources added.
They said a pistol which is acquired from an ordinance depot costs nothing less than Rs one lakh besides its rounds are very expensive. "To have a pistol has become a status symbol and unfortunately previous regime left no stone unturned to encourage this elite gun culture," sources said.
They revealed that kith and kin of top bureaucrats and politicians were provided the arms licenses only due to their influence and close proximity with the people in power. "One hopes that new government looks into the criteria, which was adopted by the previous regime, to issue gun licenses," sources added.
"Since the day new Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has taken over the reins of the state, he has given clear cut instructions to ensure that no gun license is issued without the prior verification. The person applying for the gun license has to prove that his life is in danger and faces a security threat," sources revealed.
They said that previous regime distributing the gun licenses like chocolate and candies could have far recuing consequences in the future. "People who are not even properly trained to handle the arms were given the license. Even some hunters were issued arms licenses," sources added. |
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