assam-govt-starts-arms-licence-drive-in-border-districts

The Assam government has rolled out a new arms licence service for residents in vulnerable border areas, aiming to bolster community security while making it clear that it will not be supplying weapons.

 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched the service through the Sewa Setu portal, describing it as a citizen service designed to empower indigenous people to defend themselves if necessary.

 

“We have officially launched the arms licence services as a citizen service under the Sewa Setu portal. Under this scheme, the indigenous people of the state living in bordering vulnerable areas will be able to apply for an arms licence… The government will not give arms. The government will only provide an arms licence,” Sarma told reporters in Guwahati.

 

Officials say the scheme responds to concerns among indigenous communities in areas historically prone to ethnic or communal tensions, where demographic shifts have heightened fears of marginalisation. The initiative follows large-scale eviction drives against illegal encroachment, which the government says have reclaimed more than 1.29 lakh bighas of state and forest land.

Also read: Assam’s inland waterway freight revived with NW-57 trial

 

Eligibility for a licence is restricted to original inhabitants or indigenous Indian citizens of Assam who can demonstrate a genuine threat to their life or safety. Applicants must reside in areas formally designated as vulnerable or remote by district administrations or identified as such by authorised security agencies.

 

The licensing process will involve security assessments, comprehensive background checks, verification of credentials, and strict compliance with arms regulations. Licences will be non-transferable, subject to regular review, and closely monitored to prevent misuse.

 

By introducing the scheme, the state hopes to strengthen local resilience without fuelling arms proliferation. The Chief Minister stressed that the focus remains on lawful self-defence and maintaining peace and stability in the border districts.