Mohammad Raafi
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The Government Wednesday said that the Arms licenses in the state were issued to civilians and Army/Security personnel for self protection as per the provisions of the Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 1962 by the concerned district magistrate.
Giving break-up details, the Government said that since 2005 it has issued 21713 gun licenses to defence/Security personnel and 601 gun licenses were issued to civilians. Interestingly the highest number of gun licenses issued to civilians in Poonch district alone: 134 in 2008 and 120 in 2010, when valley witnessed huge protests against administration.
The year wise break-up of the arms licenses issued since 2005 in Poonch district as per government data in 2005-2006: 6 licenses issued to security personnel, 50 to civilians; in 2006-2007: 16 to security personnel 39 to civilians; in 2007-2008: 6334 to security personnel, 134 to civilians; in 2008-2009: 06 to security personnel and 21 to civilians; in 2009-2010: 2947 to security personnel and 120 to civilians; in 2010-2011: 9096 to security personnel and 127 to civilians; in 2011-2012: 08 to security personnel; in 2012-2013: 10 to security personnel and 28 to civilians; in 2013-2014: 790 to security personnel and 03 to civilians; in 2014-2015: 2400 to security personnel and 19 to civilians; in 2015-24-9-15: 100 to security personnel and 60 to civilians.
The government informed that the arms licenses to security personnel are issued after obtaining necessary recommendation from their commanding officers and verification of their character and antecedents busy their controlling officer.
However, in view of the security considerations, govt said, it will to disclose the particulars of these licensees.
