NEW DELHI: Assam chief ministerHimanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that the state government will issue the first batch of firearm licences to indigenous people living in “vulnerable and remote” areas by February 2026.The announcement holds political significance as it comes just ahead of the state assembly elections, scheduled to be held in March–April next year.Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said “the first batch of licences under this scheme will be given in February. We have received a lot of applications for firearm licences. We are scrutinising the applications currently.”He further stated that the government will issue licences “very selectively,” clarifying that not everyone seeking one will be granted permission.”The government will give the licences very selectively, and not all the people wanting to have a firearm will be permitted,” the chief minister added.The initiative follows the Assam Cabinet’s decision in May to introduce a special scheme allowing original inhabitants and indigenous citizens of India living in “vulnerable and remote” areas, particularly near the Bangladesh border.”This is an important and sensitive decision. In districts like Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara-Mankachar and Goalpara, where Bangladesh-origin Muslims are in a majority, indigenous people are in a minority and constantly face insecurity, especially in the wake of recent developments in Bangladesh. These indigenous populations can become victims of attacks from Bangladesh or from within their own villages,” Sarma had earlier said explaining the rationale behind the move.He added that the decision aligns with the BJP’s long-standing commitment to protect the ‘jati, mati aru bheti’ — identity, land, and homeland of Assam’s indigenous people.He also noted that this demand has existed since 1985 but had never been addressed by previous governments.”The government will be lenient in giving licences to eligible people, who have to be original inhabitants and must belong to the indigenous community living in vulnerable and remote areas of the state,” Sarma added.
