Assam govt to give arms licence to 'original inhabitants' in Muslim-majority districts

Guwahati: The BJP-led government in Assam on Wednesday decided to provide arms licences to the "original inhabitants" and indigenous people living in “vulnerable and remote areas" and those along the border with Bangladesh as "a deterrent to unlawful threats".

A meeting of the state Cabinet chaired by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma approved the special scheme for providing the arms licence.

After the Cabinet meeting, Sarma said the scheme would be applicable in Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara and Goalpara districts. Dhubri and South Salmara share a border with Bangladesh while Nagaon, Morigaon and Barpeta have sizable Muslim populations.

"It’s a very important and sensitive decision. Indigenous people in these districts live in an atmosphere of insecurity due to the recent developments in Bangladesh. They face the threat of attacks from the Bangladesh side and even in their own villages," Sarma told reporters.

However, Sarma said the decision to provide the arms license would rest with the deputy commissioners.

BJP narrative

BJP in Assam considers the Bengali-speaking Muslims as "illegal migrants" from Bangladesh and a threat to identity and culture of the indigenous Assamese people. The decision comes amid a drive for detection of illegal migrants (mainly Bengali-speaking Muslims) and 'push back' policy adopted by the government for sending them back to Bangladesh. The decision also comes ahead of Assembly elections slated early next year.

"The indigenous people who are in a minority in these vulnerable areas face threats and are in a sense of insecurity. The decision was taken in view of long-standing demand by indigenous people in these areas. The government won’t help them buy arms, but will give them the licence to procure them,” said Sarma.

Sarma said there has been a demand from the indigenous people for arms licence since the anti-foreigner movement (1979-1985) but governments in the past did not take such a decision.