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2w ago

Assam Approves Arms Licences for Indigenous Residents in Vulnerable Border Areas

The government says the licences will help protect minority indigenous communities near the Bangladesh frontier, with guidelines to be issued soon.

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The decision, taken at a state cabinet meeting, will be applicable in districts like Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara and Goalpara, Sarma said. (ANI PHOTO)
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Overview

  • The Assam cabinet approved a special scheme on May 28 to grant arms licences to original inhabitants in remote and vulnerable pockets near the Bangladesh border.
  • The policy targets six districts—Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara and Goalpara—where indigenous people are minorities and often face security gaps.
  • On May 29, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that the scheme excludes all inter-state border areas with other northeastern states and applies only to zones adjacent to Bangladesh.
  • Eligible applicants must be indigenous original inhabitants with clear criminal records, subject to stringent police vetting and final clearance by district authorities.
  • Opposition leaders and civil society have criticized the move over potential arms proliferation and ambiguity in defining who qualifies as indigenous.