Assam to Issue Arms Licences to Indigenous People in Vulnerable Areas to Bolster Security: CM Sarma

GUWAHATI, May 28: In a significant move aimed at enhancing the sense of security among the indigenous population, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government will grant arms licences to original inhabitants residing in vulnerable and remote regions. The decision was taken during a recent state cabinet meeting after evaluating the persistent demands of locals who have long felt unsafe due to shifting demographics and recent socio-political developments.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma said the initiative is targeted specifically at indigenous Assamese communities who are minorities in certain areas and have been expressing concerns over their safety and security. He emphasized that Assam has a complex demographic and cultural fabric, and in some parts of the state, the indigenous population has been feeling insecure for decades—particularly in the wake of land encroachments and fears of demographic changes allegedly driven by illegal infiltration.

“In areas such as Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon, and South Salmara-Mankachar—as well as localities like Rupahi, Dhing, and Jania—our people have turned into minorities. They have been seeking arms licences since the days of the Assam Agitation (1979–1985), but successive governments failed to act. If arms licences had been issued earlier, many would not have been compelled to abandon their land and relocate,” Sarma asserted.

The Chief Minister clarified that the issuance of arms licences would be conditional, with strict eligibility criteria. Only original inhabitants from indigenous communities living in designated vulnerable or remote zones will be considered. The goal, according to Sarma, is not to promote weaponisation but to instill confidence and provide a legal deterrent against unlawful threats.

Sarma also noted that the scheme will have a statewide scope. “If people in the Hatigaon area of Guwahati, for example, who are original inhabitants, apply for licences, their applications will be considered under this framework,” he added. Notably, the areas named by the Chief Minister are largely dominated by minority populations, and this initiative is being interpreted as a strategic response to longstanding demographic anxieties.

This policy shift comes against the backdrop of recent crackdowns by the Assam government on suspected illegal immigrants and reports of growing insecurity among indigenous groups, particularly following political developments in neighboring Bangladesh.

Other Key Decisions by the Cabinet:

Alongside the announcement on arms licences, the state cabinet took several other crucial decisions during the meeting:

1. 1. Expansion of Oil Palm Cultivation:
      The cabinet approved a relaxation in the eligibility criteria for land to be used for cultivating oil palm under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). Previously limited to ‘Myadi Patta’ (permanent land rights) and ‘Eksonia Patta’ (annual lease) holders, the benefits of the scheme will now be extended to farmers owning other categories of land as well. This move is expected to increase participation and support self-reliance in edible oil production.

   2. Upgradation of Technical Institutes:
      The government has decided to seek an assistance package of ₹250 crore for upgrading 34 polytechnic colleges and 43 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Centres of Excellence. The modernization initiative will be implemented in collaboration with Tata Technologies Ltd., aiming to bridge the skill gap and improve technical education outcomes.

   3. Green Energy Project in West Karbi Anglong:
      The cabinet approved the allocation of land to Greenko Energies for the development of a 900 MW off-stream pumped storage hydroelectric project in West Karbi Anglong. This green energy project, expected to attract an investment of ₹6,000 crore, is projected to boost Assam’s renewable energy capacity significantly.

   4. Renaming Institutions to Honor Cultural Icons:
      To celebrate and honor Assam’s historical and cultural luminaries, the cabinet also gave its nod to rename several government institutions after eminent personalities of the state. This symbolic gesture is aimed at preserving the rich legacy of Assam’s leaders, thinkers, and reformers.

Through these multifaceted initiatives, the Assam government aims to address long-standing grievances of indigenous communities, bolster regional development, enhance energy infrastructure, and revamp the educational landscape.