Taking away the gun

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s decision to suspend the arms licences of those accused of crimes against women till the pronouncement of the verdict could be a potent measure in reining in the instinct of an enraged accused to take the law into his own hands. In fact, if this provision, currently proposed for the rape accused, is extended against those facing charges of other heinous crimes, the state would reap the benefits in the form of curbing crime to a great extent. During the pendency of the case, the arms need to be be confiscated and kept in government custody.

Haryana is notorious for its gun culture; instances of trigger-happy people silencing victims or their kin abound. Just last month, a Faridabad man accused of raping a minor girl was arrested for allegedly killing the violated child’s relative for refusing to compromise on the case. Before that, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim and his henchmen were known to have unleashed a reign of terror, especially on those who dared to speak up against his atrocities. It was only due to the protection of the CBI that the victims intimidated by the rapist baba’s gun-toting henchmen could get the courage to depose before the court and finally get justice.

It is no surprise that this suggestion of revoking undertrials’ arms licences has originated from the people. The CM’s monthly programme, “Ek Aur Sudhaar”, in different districts, tries to connect with people and seek suggestions to their problems. It was at one such gathering in Panchkula on Thursday that Khattar debarred those accused of gender violence from keeping arms. It would have emanated from those having to suffer the consequences of criminal-minded people imposing themselves with the help of pistols and revolvers. For, it is foolish to be audacious in the face of threats to life; one needs an atmosphere that inspires confidence to even complain against the accused as they go about wielding gun power. The “Sudhaar Cell” should come in handy to ensure public participation in further refining the concept to increase its efficacy.