In a bid aimed at checking gun culture and to maintain law and order in the state, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered review of all the arm licenses in the state.
A decision to this effect has been taken after stern directions by the Chief Minister to discourage the use of arms in the state for maintaining peace, tranquility, law and order situation. On the directions of Chief Minister, the Principal Secretary Home has issued a detailed letter to Director General of Police, Police Commissioners, District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police asking them to review all the existing arm licenses in the state.
It has also been directed that if any license had been issued to an anti-social element, in the past, then it must be canceled immediately. Similarly, it has also been ordered that no new license should be issued generally in the coming three months adding that a license should be issued only where it is utmost and genuinely required.
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Even in that case also the issuing authority of the arms license must be satisfied by the rationale given by the applicant. Likewise, it has been ordered to impose a blanket ban on the public display of arms and ammunition. This ban will also be applicable on all social media platforms.
Similarly, it has been directed that a complete ban should be imposed on the songs eulogizing gun culture. Likewise, a ban must be imposed on the carrying and display of weapons in public gatherings, religious places, weddings, parties, and others.
In the same manner, the officers have been directed to organize special and surprise checking in the areas under their respective jurisdiction. The officers have been directed that no one should be spared who is invoiced in hate speeches aimed at disrupting the peace and tranquility.