Assam CM: Arms licence portal for vulnerable indigenous people to open in August

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state government is streamlining the existing arms licence process to make it more accessible for indigenous communities living in vulnerable areas.

Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister clarified that contrary to speculation, this is not a limited-time initiative. "It’s not just from August 1st to 7th, 2025. The portal can be accessed by anyone, anytime, to apply for arms licences," Sarma said, adding that he will inaugurate the online platform as per his schedule sometime during the first week of August.

The Chief Minister stressed that the move aims at public convenience. “Even now, people are applying and receiving arms licences through offline channels. What we’re doing is simplifying the process, similar to what we’ve done with portals like Sewa Setu,” he added.

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Once launched, applications submitted through the portal will be verified by the respective Deputy Commissioners. If the applicant is found eligible, the licence will be granted. He further emphasised that those who feel threatened or insecure can also continue applying by submitting physical documents as per the current system.

“This is not a new announcement or new policy. The right to apply has always existed. We’re just making it easier and more structured, especially for those from indigenous backgrounds who might be at risk,” Sarma stated.