Himanta Launches Portal for Indigenous Communities to Apply for Arms Licences

On August 6, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a dedicated portal for indigenous people living in “sensitive” or “vulnerable” areas to apply for arms licences. Applicants must be original inhabitants who perceive genuine threats to their safety. The process will involve strict scrutiny, security assessment, verification, and compliance with existing laws. The initiative aims to instil a sense of security in communities in areas like Dhubri, Barpeta, Morigaon, and others with large Muslim populations. The demand for arms licences has existed since the Assam Agitation era. Sarma emphasized taking practical steps over protests to ensure the survival of Assamese people.