Dacoities and the use of arms

IN connection with the various measures suggested for the suppression of dacoities, the feer grant of licenses for the possession of fire-arms to respectable citizens is one that has been least tried. All others have been tried and have more or less failed. The police strength has been increased but it is practically impossible to increase the number large enough to protect every exposed village. Armed police have been placed and punitive police levied. These also have failed, though it is believed for some time they have had preventive effect. In Bengal and in the Punjab gangs of armed dacoits have of late been found more or less desperate.