Overview

• On August 14, the Assam government activated the Sewa Setu portal to accept online arms licence applications from self-declared indigenous residents in vulnerable, remote and border areas.
• Applicants must prove three-generation indigenous residency, be at least 21 years old, have no criminal record, secure a mental and physical fitness certificate and complete mandatory arms training.
• District administrations and police will conduct a multi-layered verification process that may take up to 90 days, and approved licences will be valid for five years.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the scheme will empower indigenous communities as first responders where police reinforcements are delayed.
• Opposition parties, women’s groups and civil society organisations have filed legal challenges, arguing the policy risks outsourcing state security and stoking communal tensions.