In a significant move aimed at safeguarding indigenous communities, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the launch of a dedicated online portal to facilitate arms license applications for indigenous residents of the state.
“A dedicated portal is coming up where indigenous people, who perceive a threat to their lives and reside in sensitive areas, can apply for Arms License. Upon proper scrutiny and after a multi-layered process, Arms License will be granted to individuals,” posted Sarma on X.
The initiative is designed to assist individuals living in ‘sensitive’ or vulnerable areas who perceive a threat to their lives and seek legal means of self-defence. According to the Chief Minister, only original inhabitants or indigenous Indian citizens of Assam will be eligible to register on the portal.
To ensure robust screening, the application process will involve five distinct stages:
- Security assessment
- Verification and vetting
- Compliance with existing legal frameworks
- Non-transferability and periodic review of licenses
- Monitoring and reporting mechanisms
Eligibility will be restricted to residents of areas classified as vulnerable or remote, as designated by the district administration and further assessed by authorised security agencies.
Chief Minister Sarma reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the rights of indigenous people, particularly in the context of land encroachment, illegal immigration, and the changing demographic patterns in Assam’s forest and tribal regions.
He stated that the arms license initiative is part of a broader policy aimed at empowering local communities while maintaining strict legal oversight.
Earlier on Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said three Bangladeshi nationals were nabbed and pushed back along the international border in Sribhumi district.
“The tough act continues. In the wee hours today, 3 illegal Bangladeshi nationals were pushed back from Sribhumi. Out of three foreign nationals, one is a woman, according to the picture shared with the post.”Illegal Immigrants are not welcome. Good job @assampolice,” Sarma said,” Sarma said in a post on X.
Out of three foreign nationals, one is a woman, according to the picture shared with the post.
Assam Police had earlier said that the state force and BSF would do everything possible to prevent any attempt by non-Indians to enter the country from Bangladesh as per the law after a political turmoil hit the neighbouring nation last year.
However, all Indian passport holders would be allowed to return from trouble-hit Bangladesh through the entry point in the state.
In July, during the one-day Assembly session, Chief Minister Sarma had said that the process for the detection and push-back of illegal Bangladeshis would be expedited.
The CM stated this during a discussion in the Assembly on the pushback of illegal Bangladeshis and the alleged harassment caused to genuine Indian citizens during the process.
