Chandigarh, July 13: The Punjab Police are reviewing all arms licences issued in the past decade after two modules of terrorists and criminals were found carrying licensed weapons.
Senior police officials said norms were bypassed in issuing licences, allegedly under political pressure.
“The number of licences doubled to 4 lakh from less than 2 lakh in 2007. Most of the new licences carried recommendations of the Akali legislators or halqa incharges. All cases will be probed,” the officer said.
A senior officer said, “Last month, a terror module was busted. Two former terrorists and TADA detainees had a licence to carry weapons. We were astonished to find that persons with a criminal background had got arms licence. The licences were recommended by politicians.”
The police also found that a former Akali MLA had recommended licences of many persons with a shady past.
Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi and Amna Seth, named in last year’s murders of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village (Faridkot) and a self-styled godman in Rajasthan, were found to have arms licences.
“We are verifying the recommendations made in this case, besides looking into all arms licences issued in the past 10 years,” said an officer.
The move follows an announcement by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in April that the arms licences issued by the SAD-BJP government would be reviewed.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
