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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Three arrested for obstructing police while escorting Mahesh Shetty Timarodi
Udupi, Aug 21: Police have arrested three persons for allegedly obstructing duty and ramming a car into a police vehicle while officers were bringing accused Mahesh Shetty Timarodi to the Brahmavar Police Station in connection with a case registered there.
The arrested have been identified as Srujan L., Hitesh Shetty, and Sahan, all residents of Ujire. They were produced before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody. Police said the car used in the incident has also been seized.
According to police, when Timarodi was being escorted from Ujire to Brahmavar, a group of his supporters followed the convoy in their vehicles. Despite repeated warnings not to interfere with police movement, the supporters allegedly continued to obstruct the vehicles. Near Hosmar, under Karkala Rural Police Station limits, they allegedly rammed their car into an official vehicle (bearing registration number KA 20 G 0669) belonging to the Udupi District Additional Superintendent of Police, in an attempt to prevent the police team from taking Timarodi to Brahmavar.
Following the incident, a case was registered at Karkala Rural Police Station. The three accused were later arrested and their car was seized. They have now been placed under judicial custody.
