GUWAHATI: The Assam cabinet on Wednesday approved a special scheme to provide arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous citizens of India living in “vulnerable and remote (near Bangladesh border) areas”, where Bangladesh-origin Muslims are in a majority, to protect themselves against aggression from within their areas or from the neighbouring country, reported the Times of India.
This scheme will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of such individuals and communities, the cabinet note stated.
“This is an important and a sensitive decision. In districts like Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara and Mankachar, Goalpara districts (where Bangladesh-origin Muslims are in majority), indigenous people are in a minority and constantly face insecurity, especially in the wake of recent developments in Bangladesh. These indigenous populations can become victims of attacks from Bangladesh or from within their own villages,” Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
He added that this decision has been taken in line with BJP’s commitment to protect jati, mati aru bheti (identity, land and homeland) of the indigenous people of Assam.
“The government will be lenient in giving licences to eligible people, who have to be original inhabitants and must belong to the indigenous community living in vulnerable and remote areas of the state,” he added.
He said this has been a demand for a long time, since 1985, but no government had dared to take this decision.
“Had we taken this decision then, the indigenous people would not have sold their land in these areas and left,” Sarma added.
He further said the fears of the indigenous people have increased at the moment as the government is carrying out deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals from the state.
“The government will identify the vulnerable areas where we will grant arms licences to the indigenous people in a liberal manner. Areas like Hatigaon in Guwahati may also be marked as vulnerable area,” Sarma said.
