Punjabis’ love for guns has security agencies alarmed

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, February 9

Punjabis’ love for swanky cars, bikes and mobile phones is not hidden from anyone. But these showy things hardly interest the people of this border district. For, they like to flaunt guns. A fad which has left security agencies worried and on tenterhooks.

As per information, the district has a total of 21,221 arms licence-holders, who posses 22,430 weapons. The number of people applying for arms licences is on the rise, with more than 1,200 licence-holders owning two or more weapons.

Zira, a subdivision of Ferozepur, has the highest number of arms licence-holders. Here, 3,708 registered licence-holders own 3,920 weapons, whereas Ferozepur City and Ferozepur Sadar have a total of 3,276 licence-holders, who possess 3,430 weapons. Guruharsahai, another sub-division, too has a total of 2,289 licence holders with 2,374 weapons.

As the district shares international border with Pakistan, the number of people with licences has the authorities worried.

Talking to the The Tribune, Gurmit Singh Cheema, SP (Headquarters), said: “Not many people here are in actual need of weapons. They possess these out of love. To have such a big number of licencees in a border town is a matter of concern.”

Retired octogenarian PD Sharma, while expressing concern over the rising trend of flaunting guns, said: “Liquor and gun make for a deadly combination. Elders take pride in the fact that their wards possess guns. Just a few days ago, a youth had a narrow escape when a bullet hit his thigh during celebratory firing.”

While Ravinder Singh, ADC (G), said: “No doubt, the number is too big. The authorities are always on toes to keep a check on the activities of arms licence-holders”. However, it is difficult for any official to keep a check on such a large number of licencees, many of whom have got their jurisdiction extended to carry arms beyond Punjab.”

Last month, a report highlighting possession of arms licences by 21 proclaimed offenders in Ferozepur was carried in these columns. Later, taking a cognisance of the report, the Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner had ordered cancellation of the licences to all those involved in criminal cases with immediate effect.

Earlier, the DC had asked all applicants to plant at least 10 saplings and attach their pictures with the plants with applications, however, the move failed to trigger any decline in arms licence seekers.

“The gun culture needs to be checked,” said Resham Singh, ex-sarpanch. Lauding the decision of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to ban the movie “Shooter”,

Resham said: “If we fail to control the “rage” for guns and drugs, it will be difficult to prevent the exodus of Punjabis.”

Inquiries and arrests

• In 2001, a CBI inquiry was marked to look into the issuance of fake arms licences seized from criminals in Haryana, Delhi and UP. The CBI had scanned 27,188 arms licences issued between September 1998 and February 2001, out of which around 15,000 licences were issued in violation of the norms.
• Later, Ferozepur district was again in the thick of a similar controversy in July 2010 when some persons were arrested for making fake arms licences by forging the signature of the Additional District Magistrate. Two arms dealers from Abohar were arrested with illegal weapons and several incriminating documents.