Guwahati, May 29: Following the Assam government's recent announcement regarding the issuance of arms licenses to indigenous residents in areas deemed 'vulnerable', Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided a clarification on Thursday. He emphasized that this policy will not extend to regions along the inter-state borders.

In response to public inquiries, Sarma explained that the new initiative is specifically aimed at areas where national security is a significant concern, particularly along Assam's international border with Bangladesh.

Addressing concerns about the inclusion of inter-state border regions, Sarma stated that these areas are not classified as vulnerable regarding national security threats.

“To clarify: Assam has consistently maintained that inter-state border issues should be resolved through mutual understanding and trust. We do not consider these regions vulnerable in terms of national security threats. Therefore, the arms license policy will not apply to Assam's inter-state border areas,” he shared on social media.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, the Chief Minister highlighted that the arms license initiative is primarily focused on districts where infiltration and a weak government presence have historically left indigenous communities at risk.

Areas under consideration for the issuance of arms licenses include Dhubri, South Salmara, Barpeta, Morigaon, and Nagaon.

“This initiative is not restricted to just international border districts. Even remote and interior locations, where government presence is limited and infiltration threats are prevalent, will be eligible,” he noted, adding that stringent eligibility and verification processes will be implemented.

In justifying the new policy, Sarma connected the Cabinet's decision to the state's historical vulnerabilities, particularly during the Assam Agitation.

“If we had implemented this measure during the Assam Agitation, perhaps many individuals would not have had to sell their land and leave their homes. The lack of empowerment at that time resulted in land alienation in various regions,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that this decision is a response to persistent requests from residents in sensitive areas.

“During my visits to these regions, villagers have expressed their urgency - ‘Provide us with arms licenses or we will be compelled to abandon our land.’ The demand is coming directly from the people,” he stated.