Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 14 formally launched the ‘Weapon for Indigenous’ scheme in Dispur.
The state government has decided to go online to apply to get an arms licence for the indigenous people. As said earlier the online portal is launched and attached with the Seva Setu App and indigenous people who feel they need arms to protect themselves can apply for it without visiting the District collector office.
The state government has put some conditions to get the licence of arms. The applicant should be a third generation indigenous person of the state. He or she shouldn’t have any criminal record or case pending against him. Moreover the person should be mentally and physically fit. And last but not the list the person should get arms training before applying for it. The state government has accredited some persons who can give training in each district. These are ex army, paramilitary or police officials and the Police superintendent will notify about the training. Besides these people only from vulnerable areas will be eligible to get the arm licence.
The move has been taken by the BJP led Assam government keeping in mind the threat perception to the indigenous people by the aggression of Bangladeshi origin Muslims in sensitive districts. Talking to media in Dibrugarh, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “ the situation in Assam is going to be very explosive in near future. But when there is an explosive situation, how the indigenous people will survive or protect themself. Only a licensed arm will protect them at that time.” Replying to the criticism by the opposition Congress party CM Sarma further said, “ My point is clear, after reclaiming over 40,000 acres of land from the Bangladeshi origin Muslim encroachers the Assamese people have learnt to live without fear and they have to continue it in the near future. Agitation is not the way you get your rights, you have to be practical to survive and Assamese people can survive by only being practical.”, he added. CM Sarma further said, our government has taken several practical steps for a secured future for the Assamese people and will take such steps after winning the election in 2026. We have some goal ahead of us and we will achieve it within the limit of our Constitution in the shortest possible time.
One can apply for an arms licence in the state even now. Earlier CM Sarma said that the indigenous people of Assam who are residents of districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, Hailakandi where they are an absolute minority are in deep fear and living in a constant threat. 30000 Miya Muslims surrounded a Satra of 100 Assamese Hindu people. How will they protect themself.
