ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIRE ARMS IN INDIA
As per available information there are 33,69,444 active licenses, 97,00,000 registered arms and 6,14,01,000 illegal possession of fire arms in India as on 2016. Among the states, UP top the list with 12.77 lakh active licences. MP with 14 per lakh population tops the list in the country in gun violence. According to a report by Business Standard updated on October 19, 2015, a place named Mungar in Bihar have about 300 illegal factories manufacturing weapons from single shot guns to sophisticated AK47 types. The price ranges from Rs 2,000/- for single shot 'kattas', semi-automatic pistol from Rs 15,000/- to Rs 20,000/-, a Carbine for Rs 1 lakh and an AK47 for Rs 2 lakhs. Mungar factories are said to be the prime source of illegal weapons across the country. Out of the 3 lakh cases registered in India during 2010-14 period, about half of them were in UP.
An illegal pistol bought from Bihar was used in a killing in Kerala last year. NCRB report shows the inflow of illegal fire arms into the state. In 2019 it was 203 fire arms and 144 ammunition, in 2018 it was 211 and 101and in 2017 it was 177 and 153. While police are doing their best to prevent the inflow of arms and ammunition into the state, they have limitations in many ways. Hence public involvement is unavoidable to check this dangerous situation effectively.
The central government may be more vigilant in this issue. When media provide information about illegal fire arms manufacturing industries in different states, there cannot be much to prevent the central government to locate such industries and people involved. Surprisingly, it is beyond comprehension as to why these destructive elements are continuing with their destructive activities. A result oriented efforts from both central and state governments are expected to eliminate: a) manufacturing of illegal fire arms within the country and b) prevent the inflow of arms and ammunition from unauthorised sources from abroad.
K V George
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