Home Dept orders inquiry into issuance of arms licences

Srinagar, July 15

The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department has ordered an inquiry by the State Vigilance Organisation into large-scale issuance of individual arms licences in alleged contravention of rules.

The department issued the order following reports of alleged fake gun licence racket operating in the state.

Besides directing the State Vigilance Organisation to probe the matter, the department ordered the divisional commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu regions to verify all cases of individual new arms licences issued between January 1, 2017, to February 23, 2018, in eight districts of the state and furnish a detailed report to it within a month.

“Pending verification by the divisional commissioner concerned, the district magistrates of Kishtwar, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Leh, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur will not issue any new individual arms licences till further orders,” it said.

The department directed the remaining district magistrates to exercise due diligence and care while granting new individual arms licence in terms of the legal provisions and furnish a regular monthly statement to it.

“It was deemed appropriate to have a whole gamut of facts/issues investigated through an impartial investigation agency in addition to the inquiries, which are already underway. Accordingly, the matter has been referred to the State Vigilance Organisation for investigation and appropriate action in terms of law,” order read.

It has also directed all district magistrates to ensure strict compliance to the provisions of the Arms Rules, 2016, at the stage of renewal of an arms licence.

“The district magistrates of the state will take urgent steps to revoke all such individual arms licences issued to various persons excluding the personnel of State Police, Army and Central Armed Police Forces, which don’t meet all the conditions prescribed in Rule 11 and Rule 12 of the Arms Rules, 2016.”

“Further, the district magistrates will direct all such persons, whose licences are revoked, to deposit their arms and ammunition with the officer in charge of the nearest police station, failing which action as warranted under law will be initiated. This action should be concluded within 15 days of issue of this order and compliance reported to the Home Department,” the order stated. — PTI