Assam to give arms licences to ‘indigenous citizens’ in ‘vulnerable’ areas: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati: The Assam government announced that it has approved a scheme to issue arms licences to “indigenous people” residing in areas where their population is in the minority.
During a press conference following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma explained that the scheme aims to provide indigenous communities with the means to defend themselves against threats from hostile quarters. “We announce the special schemes for grant of arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens in vulnerable and remote areas of Assam,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the government would encourage indigenous people to apply for these licenses to bolster their personal security.
Sarma identified several districts as particularly vulnerable, including Dhubri, Morigaon, Nagaon, Barpeta, and South Salmara. Bengali-origin Muslims account for the majority in these areas.
According to Sarma, these communities live in fear and often “have to confront the question of their security”. He added that after the incidents in Bangladesh, they “might face attacks from the Bangladesh side or in their villages”.
This move, Sarma insisted, is a significant step forward, addressing long-standing demands from the people living in Assam’s more remote and vulnerable areas.
The announcement, however, has sparked criticism from certain quarters. Harekrishna Deka, former Director General of Police of Assam, expressed concern regarding the scheme. He questioned the logic behind the decision, pointing out that the authorities should focus on maintaining law and order if there were genuine security concerns.
“I do not understand the logic. Vulnerable from what? Were they not vulnerable earlier,” Scroll quoted Deka as saying. He added that “the government is duty-bound to maintain security” and giving arms licenses to vulnerable residents was not a solution to security threats.
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NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.
The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.
On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.
"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.
The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.
After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.
