Bihar: Firearm License Cancellation Looms in Siwan as Verification Deadline Passes

Siwan: As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Siwan district administration is intensifying its administrative preparations, with a particular focus on security measures. Earlier directives from the district administration mandated the physical verification of arms licenses holders to enhance security protocols.

Despite providing ample opportunities for compliance, a significant number of arms license holders have failed to undergo the required physical verification process. A total of 1308 arms license holders in the district have neglected to verify their firearms, prompting action from District Election Officer cum District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta.

District Magistrate Gupta has instructed the cancellation of firearm licenses for all individuals who have not adhered to the physical verification requirements. The administration had set multiple phases for the verification process, with clear deadlines for license holders to comply.

The first phase of arms verification was scheduled from February 12th to 15th, followed by the second phase from February 19th to 21st. During these phases, license holders were urged to ensure their weapons underwent verification within the stipulated time frames. A total of 2503 arms license holders successfully completed the verification process during these phases.

For those who missed the initial deadlines, a final opportunity for verification was provided from March 18th to 20th. District Magistrate Siwan personally called upon license holders to fulfill their obligations, demanding explanations from those who failed to comply within the designated periods.

In certain instances, legal actions necessitated the confiscation of firearms, as 36 arms license holders faced charges warranting such measures. Despite these efforts, 1308 individuals have remained non-compliant even after the final phase of verification.

In response to this widespread non-compliance, District Magistrate Siwan has taken a decisive stance, opting to suspend the arms licenses of those who have failed to adhere to the verification protocols.