In a bid to enhance the safety of indigenous citizens, the Assam government has introduced a special scheme for granting arms licenses to individuals residing in vulnerable or remote areas who face genuine threats to life.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a dedicated online portal will soon be launched, allowing eligible applicants to apply for licenses through a multi-tiered verification and security process.
A dedicated portal is coming up where indigenous people, who perceive a threat to their lives and reside in sensitive areas, can apply for Arms License.
Upon proper scrutiny and after a multi-layered process, Arms License will be granted to individuals. pic.twitter.com/bcVtB04mM9
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 6, 2025
The scheme is aimed exclusively at original inhabitants or indigenous Indian citizens of Assam who can demonstrate a credible threat to their safety. “This is a measure of empowerment for people in sensitive zones, not an encouragement of arms culture,” the Chief Minister stated.
Eligibility criteria include residency in vulnerable or remote areas identified by the district administration or security agencies, and a demonstrable risk to personal safety due to the local security environment.
According to the guidelines, the application process will involve:
- A security assessment,
- Verification and vetting of credentials,
- Compliance with existing arms laws,
- Non-transferability and periodic review of issued licenses, and
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
Authorities stressed that licenses will only be granted after thorough evaluation and background checks. The scheme will not apply to urban or low-risk areas.
