Misuse of licensed firearms on rise in Mnp

Manipur, chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday told the house of state Assembly that instances of misuse of licensed firearms was on the rise in the state while reviewing the use of licensed firearms.
The re-verification and renewal of the firearm license was initiated to curb and prevent the incidents of violence involving licensed arms as well as to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the state, Singh said.
In reply to motions raised by members -Vungzagin Valte and Paolienlal Haokip – from the treasury bench, the chief minister said district magistrates of all the districts have taken up the re-verification processes.
While drawing the attention of the house, the two members alleged that through a notification, Churachandpur district magistrate instructed the armed license holders to submit their licenses along with the arms.
The re-verification process was not for a particular district but for the state-wide for the protection and prevention of illegal arms, Singh said. He stated that instances of misuse of licensed firearms including killing cases in the state were on the rise in the state in the last two or three years. This has compelled the state government to take up the re-verification of the license holders, he said.
The state home department has also instructed the district magistrates and superintendents of police to examine the purpose carefully before issuing an arm license, he added.
He also informed the house that if arm licenses were not renewed after the expiry of the given period, it would be considered as illegal.
Earlier this month, district magistrates across the state had issued notices for re-verification of arm licenses as per the provisions of “The Arms Act, 1959 and The Arms Rules, 2016 and amended from time to time.