CM launches a scheme for grant of arms licenses to original inhabitants & indigenous Indian citizens
This crucial public service to ensure citizen safety, transparency in governance, and empowerment of original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens: CM
The scheme will be powerful tool towards self-defence: CM
Recognizing the need for empowering the citizens living in remote areas, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today launched a special scheme for grant of arms license to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens in vulnerable and remote areas of Assam in sewa setu portal at a function held at Lok Sewa Bhawan here today.
It may be noted that the Cabinet took a decision on 28 May 2025 and subsequently the government notified a special scheme for grant of arms licenses to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens living in vulnerable areas under the Arms Act 1959 and the Arms Rules 2016. Under this special scheme, original inhabitants of Assam, indigenous Indian citizens with a genuine threat to life and safety due to vulnerability of the region in which he resides can apply for arms licenses. The application will be individually scrutinized from the perspective of threat perception, personal security requirements, and the necessity of possessing the licensed arms based on field level inputs and assessments by designated police and intelligence authorities.
A detailed police verification including local inquiry, past criminal antecedents and socio-economic backgrounds will be conducted. Moreover, grant of license shall be subject to full compliance with the Arms Act 1959, the Arms Rules or any other orders in force. The Home and Political Department shall maintain oversight and may call for periodic reports from the District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police on the implementation of this special scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said, “It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of a crucial public service today. It marks a significant step in our government’s commitment to ensuring citizen safety, transparency in governance, and the empowerment of original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens”. He said that the special scheme reflects the State government’s concern for the security of citizens living in vulnerable and remote areas of Assam due to geographic and socio-political factors. Citing the reasons for the government to make this special scheme, the Chief Minister said, “It has been observed that localized and micro-level security challengessometimes demand lawful access to self-defence,especially for our original inhabitants and indigenous citizens”. This special scheme would empower the citizens to empower themselves from any covert and overt design of aggression on them.
Highlighting on the scheme, the Chief Minister said that under this scheme, applicants residing in vulnerable and remote areas will be eligible to apply, subject to rigorous field-level security assessments, police verification, and the recommendation of the Senior Superintendent of Police. Licenses will be issued only after careful vetting and with full compliance to all legal provisions under the Arms Act, 1959 and the Arms Rules, 2016.
Dr. Sarma also said that the special scheme is purely citizen-centric which would empower the citizens in remote areas as the first responders in case the police take time to reach out to the area. The scheme is very positive as it would also help the citizens in their cause of self-defence. He moreover said that with the launch of the portal, the applicants henceforth can apply on line even from the remote locations to avail of the benefits of the scheme.
The Chief Minister on the occasion however appealed to the public to make responsible use of this facility, and assure everyone that strict monitoring, periodic review, and legal safeguards are built into the scheme to prevent any misuse.
Minister Environment and Forests Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister Water Resources, I&PR Pijush Hazarika, Minister Revenue Keshab Mahanta, Minister Public Health Engineering Jayanta Mallabaruah, Minister Education Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Additional Chief Secretary Home and Political Ajay Tewari and several senior government officers were present on the occasion.
