Over 2 lakh gun licenses issued in J&K in 5 yrs

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 3: The present Coalition Government in the State has issued 2,07,721 gun licenses through District Magistrates in last five years.
Out these gun licenses issues in various districts, the Srinagar district has topped the list with 70,187 gun licenses issued since 2009 till date, followed by 28,288 in Doda and 18830 in district Rajouri.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, incharge Home Department, in a written reply to the un-starred question of  NPP member,  Sayed Rafiq Shah disclosed  that  2,07,721 licenses have been issued by District Magistrates in the State since 2009 till date.
Giving figures, he revealed that in Srinagar district  total 70,187 licenses were issued,  in Jammu  9088, Kathua 473, Samba 814, Shopian 15, 263, Pulwama 7223, Kulgam, 6830, Kupwara 1371, Doda 28,288, Rajouri 18,830, Ramban 15,844, Kishtwar 13396, Udhampur 10,543 , Reasi 105,  Poonch 6606, Budgam 74, Ganderbal 147, Bandipur 17, Baramulla 504, Kargil 1607 while in Leh 151 gun licenses were issued in last five years.
It was claimed in the reply that these licenses are not issued on community wise basis but to such persons who fulfill the conditions laid down in the Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 1962 and the guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry from time to time. The Chief Minister  claimed that there was no discrimination in the issuance of such licenses to any community whether Paharis or Gujjars.  On the issue of  non-State subjects, the Government avoided direct reply but maintained that  the licenses are being issued to the civilians, army and security personnel for self protection as per the provisions of the Arms Act and Rules.
For this an I-card, character / verification certificate from SP or Commandant of the Army/ Police Unit , an affidavit with undertaking and another document for non-involvement in any disciplinary criminal/ vigilance or political activities from the respective officers/ COs  is needed. Moreover, the Home Department have issued guidelines for the streamlining the procedure relating to the gun silence, Omar said.
He futher said that in order to curb the proliferation of the arms and ammunition in the country, the Union Home Ministry has issued instructions and guidelines to be observed by all concerned, moreover, the State Government has introduced a web based system for on-line issuance and monitoring of arms licenses.

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