'Reviewing issuance of gun license does not mean all licenses will be cancelled'
10 killed by licensed gun holders in last 2/3 years : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 01 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that the notification issued by the State to review the issuance of gun licenses and people who possess it in the wake of increasing cases of gun violence doesn't necessarily mean all gun licenses would be cancelled.

N Biren who also holds the portfolio of Home conveyed that some cases involving gun licenses were reported in the last two-three years including the killing of 10 people by license gun holders.

MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Paolienlal Haokip raised a call attention motion on the floor of the House contending that the notification issued by the State has created a tense atmosphere in Churachandpur and some hill districts.

'Reviewing issuance of gun license does not mean all licenses will be cancelled'

Responding to the MLAs, the Chief Minister asked why there should be tension over studying the background of gun license holders and the way in which license guns are issued.

Saying that about 10 persons were killed by license gun holders in the last two-three years and there are many other cases of gun violence, N Biren Singh went on to state that they as a responsible Government have to take some actions to check gun violence.

Many people from Imphal take gun licenses from hill districts such as Senapati, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal etc because they know that their applications would be rejected on studying their background, the Chief Minister said.

Claiming that the majority of license gun holders in Imphal might be taking their arms licenses from Senapati and Churachandpur, N Biren maintained that the responsibility of the Government is to protect the rights of the people and prevent them from becoming victims of anti-National elements.

The notification issued to review the process in which license guns are issued and people who possess it is not for a particular district but for the entire State, he responded.

There are many people who haven't renewed their gun licenses for seven-eight years, N Biren said and added that those people who hold expired gun licenses would be considered as illegal possession of arms and they would be penalised under Section 25 of the Arms Act.

The State was only giving an opportunity for the license gun holders to renew their licenses, N Biren said.

"We have to ascertain the motive of those who apply to obtain gun licenses," he continued.

Further stating that the action taken up by the BJP Government to check gun violence is under Rule no 30 of the Arms Rules, 2016, N Biren appealed to the people to not think otherwise in the undertaking of the Government.

The Chief Minister also claimed that there were instances of gun license holders lending out their arms to others and it is not good for the society as it may lead to breaking down of law and order.

Those who applied to obtain gun licenses without having any threat have to be turned down, the Chief Minister also said and added that handing gun licenses to underage people is also not permissible.

Gun licenses have to be issued only if the applicants fulfil the criteria, N Biren continued and reiterated that the Government would never cancel the gun licenses of those deserving.

The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to not waste the time of those who come to renew their gun licenses and carry out verification only when necessary, he added.

The Chief Minister also stated that the deadline to renew gun licenses has been extended till March 15, to underline his earlier point.