GUWAHATI, Dec 30 � Miffed by the illegal possession and use of arms, especially by the �influential� lot, including the surrendered militants, the state Government is planning to initiate steps to review the status of the arms license holders across the State.
This is also seen as a step by the government to curtail the use of gun power in the run up to the ensuing Assembly election in the State.
Specific instructions are also likely to be given soon to the law-enforcing agencies to review the status of the arms available with the surrendered members of the militant outfits based in different designated camps.
�Illegal possession of arms is something we are concerned about. Though there exists an exercise under which the status of legal arms are monitored, there is a need to further tighten the noose,� a well-placed source at Dispur told The Assam Tribune.
Statistics made available to this reporter reflect that the State, over the years, has been witnessing a steep rise in cases registered under the Arms Act. In the span of last two years, over 1,000 cases were registered under the Arms Act.
While 413 cases were recorded in the year 2008, the figure rose to 534 in the succeeding year. This year, till October, over 400 cases have been registered with different police stations across the State.
The source further added that the government is contemplating to instruct all the Deputy Commissioners to assess and report on the issue.
Asked whether the increase in the number of surrendered militants has aggravated the problem, a senior Assam Police official said that though the Home Department has been constantly monitoring the situation, there have been some instances that are being seen as a cause of worry.
�The police department has acted as and when was necessary. In some cases, even license have been cancelled,� he added.
