Assam to give arms licences to ‘indigenous citizens’ in ‘vulnerable’ areas: Himanta Biswa Sarma

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Assam has decided to issue arms licenses to “original inhabitants and indigenous Indian people” living in “vulnerable remote areas”, announced Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday.

“This scheme will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of such individuals and communities,” the chief minister claimed while listing the decisions taken by the state Cabinet.

The #AssamCabinet has today taken a very important decision to protect the interests of our Jati, Mati, Bheti.

Arms Licenses will be granted to Original Inhabitants and indigenous Indian people living in vulnerable areas to tackle unlawful threats from hostile quarters. pic.twitter.com/a29M67uekV— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 28, 2025

According to the chief minister, the Cabinet had decided the state should issue arms licenses after reviewing the demands of residents who were “feeling insecure”, reported PTI. Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon and South Salmara-Mankachar are among the districts where the government “will be lenient in giving licences to eligible people”, he said.

The move will help them protect themselves in the wake of growing concerns about cross-border infiltration and security threats, Sarma was quoted as saying by Assam Tribune.

“The indigenous people residing near the Bangladesh border live in fear of atrocities and infiltration,” he reportedly said.

Sarma said the demand for residents...

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