The BJP-led Assam government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has started giving arms licenses to non-Muslim tribal communities living near the India-Bangladesh border. The government claims this step is necessary to protect them from threats, but civil society in Assam warns that it will only increase violence and conflict in the region.
Assam Government’s New Decision
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who often makes controversial remarks about Bangladesh, has now taken another extreme step. His BJP government has launched a program to provide arms licenses to non-Muslim tribals living in border areas. Applications for these licenses are already being accepted online.
The Assam cabinet had approved this decision in May, and it has now officially come into effect. According to the government announcement, non-Muslim tribals living in insecure and remote areas of the state will be eligible to receive gun licenses. For this, the government has introduced an online portal called “Seva Setu”.
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Government’s Justification
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma explained why his government has taken this step. He said that in some areas close to the India-Bangladesh border or in other sensitive zones, non-Muslim communities make up only about 5% of the population, while other groups account for 90–95%. This creates a tense environment.
Sarma argued that in such situations, if minorities are armed, the majority population will think twice before attacking them.
Himanta Biswa Sarma:
“যারা ভারত-বাংলাদেশ সীমান্তের কাছে বা সংবেদনশীল এলাকায় বসবাস করেন— যেখানে তাদের সম্প্রদায় জনসংখ্যার মাত্র ৫ শতাংশ এবং অন্য সম্প্রদায়ের সংখ্যা ৯০–৯৫ শতাংশ— সেখানে উত্তেজনার পরিবেশ তৈরি হতে পারে। এ অবস্থায় সংখ্যালঘুরা যদি অস্ত্র হাতে রাখেন, তাহলে সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠরা হামলার আগে দুইবার ভাববে।”Translation:
“Those who live near the India-Bangladesh border or in sensitive areas—where their community makes up only 5% of the population and other groups account for 90–95%—may face a tense situation. In such a case, if the minorities have weapons, the majority will think twice before attacking.”
Conditions for Getting a Gun License
The government has also set several conditions for people applying for the license:
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The applicant must be at least 21 years old.
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The person must be a son of the soil or a member of a tribal community.
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A clear and valid identity card must be provided.
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The applicant must have no criminal record or pending criminal cases.
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The applicant must be physically and mentally fit.
The new rule will mainly apply in the districts of Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara, and Goalpara.
Claim of Threats from “Bangladeshis”
Himanta Biswa Sarma further alleged that the “sons of the soil” (original inhabitants) in Assam face attacks and threats from “Bangladeshis” on their own land. He said that this initiative has been taken to ensure their security.
Civil Society’s Strong Opposition
However, many in Assam’s civil society have strongly opposed this step. They argue that arming people in a state where about 40% of the population is Muslim, especially Bengali Muslims, will only increase the chances of communal violence.
Local activists fear that this policy will worsen conflict and lead to more deaths in Northeast India.
Source: Daily Janakantha
