Manipur Chief Minister N Biren on Wednesday said the government has ordered for verification of licensed guns in an effort to streamline and restrict licensed gun holders from threatening, killing and harming innocent people.
The chief minister was speaking at the ongoing third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in a response to the calling attention motion moved by MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Paolienlal Haokip.
Both MLAs called the attention of the chief minister, who is also in-charge of Home, that issuance of a notification by district magistrate, Churachandpur, intimating to submit arms licensed along with the arms have caused tension in the district.
Responding to it, the chief minister said that the notice was issued statewide, since licensed guns in Manipur are not renewed with some having double licenses while some gun licenses crossing their own districts,
He informed the House that in Manipur there are a total of 10 cases of threatening, harming and killing with a licensed gun this year. The government cannot remain silent without concerning it, he added.
“Person living in Imphal take gun licenses from Kangpokpi, Senapati and Churachandpur. There is evidence and no one can say that it is wrong'', said Biren, adding that there was a time when there were queues of taking guns license from DC Senapati, Jiribam, Kangpokpi.
According to rules of the Arms Act, every two to three month, the gun licenses should be renewed but in the state most of them do not renew. Those who do not renew their gun licenses according to given time will be treated as illegal, Biren warned.
Some may be using guns without licenses, said Biren suspiciously, adding that gun licenses are allowed to those who have a threat in life or sports or hunting, that too according to needs. Some like lending their licensed guns to others. It should not be done; it affects the law and order of the state, the CM said.
So, to verify, streamline gun licenses and to restrict from unwanted incidents, the notice was issued for the state to submit it. The chief minister appealed to the DCs and SPs of the respective districts to identify the genuine and suspicious gun, if it is genuine then give it, if not then verify it.
He also added that the submission order will be extended till March 15.
Replying to the question raised by MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan regarding the case of hit and run, the leader of the House informed that investigation of the case is going on full swing.
