Cracking down against gun culture in the district, Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh on Friday has cancelled as many as 565 arms licenses in the district.
Giving more information, the DC said that as per orders issued by the state government the administration had conducted review of weapon licenses issued to individuals following which these licenses have been revoked with immediate effect.
Of these 538 licenses, 362 were suspended during renewal procedure on account of negative police reports while remaining 176 cancelled for various reasons. A total of 101 firearms licenses were cancelled due to death of license holders. Likewise, in 25 cases the holders had left the country and settled abroad, he said adding in 50 cases police reports were found negative during re-verification procedure. The deputy commissioner categorically said that no one is allowed to take law and order in their hands as district administration would ensure strict action if anyone found misusing their licensed weapon. He stated that the state government has already banned public display of weapons; hence stringent action would also be taken in such instances, if reported. It is pertinent to mention here that the district administration had earlier suspended around 391 licenses in November last year and had issued show-causes notices to license holders.
Rules have to be followed for keeping a gun and any kind of violation of these norms will attract strict action as per law, he added. Mr. Singh said that since there is a state-wide ban on carrying and displaying weapons in public functions, religious places, marriage ceremonies, or any other events, random checking will be done in different areas in the coming days.