Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, justified the state government’s decision streamlining the existing arms licence process through a dedicated online portal for indigenous communities while asserting that indigenous people of the state will have to learn to survive against all odds.
Pointing out that they are streamlining arms licence policy to instil a sense of security and address the long-standing concerns of indigenous communities, particularly in districts like Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Goalpara, where indigenous populations are in the minority and face potential threats, the chief minister told reporters that the government will be lenient in issuing licenses to eligible indigenous individuals living in these areas.
The chief minister, while announcing this recently, stated that his goal is to build confidence and improve personal safety, not to militarize the population.
He said that an online portal for applying for arms licenses for vulnerable indigenous communities is expected to launch in the first week of August 2025. Once launched, applications will be verified by Deputy Commissioners before licenses are granted, said the chief minister.
The chief minister also emphasised that the measure is designed for public convenience, especially for individuals living in remote and vulnerable regions who often face delays and difficulties in the traditional offline application process.
“This is in line with our commitment to administrative reforms. Just like the Sewa Setu portal helped streamline citizen services, this initiative will ensure a more accessible and transparent arms licensing mechanism,” said Mr Sarma.
Mr Sarma also clarified that the initiative is not a new policy or scheme, but rather a restructured and user-friendly version of the arms application process that already exists. He said that applicants who feel threatened or live in areas with insurgent or communal tensions can still apply physically by submitting documents through the district administration. “We are not limiting the offline channel; we are strengthening the online access,” he reiterated.
