| 31,688 issued in volatile Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora districts | | In disturbed J&K, state govt issues 82,096 arms licences in 3 yrs | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 27: J&K has been gripped by secessionist and communal violence since 1987. The authorities at the Centre have been putting efforts calculated to restore peace in the state in general and militant-infested Kashmir in particular.
However, the J&K Government issued no less than 82.096 arms licences between 2015 and 2017.
A report in this regard has said: "The state's Home Department held by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has issued at least 82,096 arms licences. These have been issued by various licencing authorities within the state".
According to the report based on the official document of the Home Department, "In 2015, a total of 37,824 arms licences were issued in various districts of the state with Kupwara topping the tally with 10,978 licences followed by 6,345 in Baramulla, 5,910 in Poonch and 4,746 in Kishtwar".
The report has further said: "In 2016, as many as 30,438 arms licences were issued in which Kupwara again topped the list with 9,340 licences followed by 4,723 in Baramulla and 3,202 in Ramban".
As per the report, the state's Home department issued "a total of 13,834 arms licences in 2017". This time, Udhampur district got the maximum number. It got 2,838 arms licences.
The most striking aspect of the whole situation was that maximum arms licences were issued in the Kashmir's Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts. "A total of 31,688 licences were given to the people". Interestingly, the Home department has not disclosed the details of the licence holders given what is described as "the privacy of the individuals and owing to security reasons". Here lies the problem.
There have been reports that inter-state rackets have been playing dubious role and obtaining arms licences from J&K. It is pertinent to mention here that the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad had busted an inter-state racket only last September. The racket had its "roots" in J&K, which, according to a report, "was engaged in issuance of fake arms licences to the people, including retired Army personnel, after manipulating signatures and stamps of some of the District Magistrates". |
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