Malik Sameed
Srinagar, Aug 10 (KNB): Following after the State Government last month revoked individual arms licenses issued between 1st January 2017 to 23rd February 2018 and put a blanket ban on the issuance of licenses, the Delhi’s Special Police cell is all set to investigate the indiscriminate issuance of arms licenses within Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports reaching Kashmir News Bureau that J&K Government has accorded consent to the extension of powers and jurisdiction of the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment in the whole of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, to investigate and inquire into the cases related to issuance of Arms Licenses.
“In pursuance of Section-6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (Act No: 25 of 1946), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby accords consent, to the extension of powers and jurisdiction of the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment in the whole of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, to investigate and inquire into the offences and attempts, abetments and conspiracies in relation to or in connection with the offences in case FIR No: 11/2018 P/S VJ under section 5 (2) PC Act Svt 2006 r/w section 3/25 Arms Act and case FIR No: 18/2018 P/S VOK under section 5 (2) PC Act Svt 2006 120-B RPC and section 3/25 Arms Act,” said a notification issued yesterday by the State’s Home Department.
It said the Delhi Special Police Establishment will also inquire into other offences committed in the course of same transaction(s) or arising out of the same facts.
Pertinently, the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has already registered an FIR 18/18 after J&K Home Department directed Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to hold fresh verification into licenses issued between January 2017 and February 23, 2018, in eight districts of the State.
The National Database for Arms Licenses had reported that the number of arms licenses issued to some districts in the J&K State had been exceedingly large in numbers. As per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs report, 3, 69,191 gun licenses have been issued during the last 15 years.
In addition, the District Magistrates were also directed by the State government to take urgent steps to revoke all such individual arms licenses issued to various persons, excluding the personnel belonging to the State police, Army, security forces, consequent to the notifications of Arms Rules , 2016. (KNB)