Srinagar, Jan 30: The State Home Department has made a startling revelation that people with ‘criminal background’ in New Delhi have managed to obtain gun licenses from Jammu and Kashmir in the name of security personnel. Alerted by the Delhi police on the issue, the Department has now come up with strict guidelines on issuance of gun licenses.
“In a recent communication sent by the Additional Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Delhi to the State Government, it has been informed that in districts of Doda and Ramban, gun licenses have been issued in the name of security personnel, which on verification have been found to be fake and bogus. Even some of the persons in whose name the licenses have been issued have been found not to be working in Army/Security but have criminal records in New Delhi and are thus not eligible for obtaining the gun licenses,” the circular No 5 of 2012 dated 11.12.2012, issued by the State Home Department, reads.
The circular, copy of which is with Greater Kashmir, further quotes from the communiqué dashed by the Delhi Police, asserting that “the signature/stamp of the administrative officer appended on the recommendation/verification report, showing the person to be army personnel, has been found to be fake.” “The Additional Commissioner of Police, Delhi has also informed that the application forms have not been filled up completely and even some of the columns have been found to be blank. Further the licensing authorities have failed to comply with the provisions contained in the Rules 23, 50, 51(d) & E of the Arms Rules, 1962,” the Home Department circular reads.
Following the alert, Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued several Do’s and Don’ts to District Magistrates on issuing licenses to forces.
“Before issuance of gun license in favour of the security/ army personnel, the district magistrates shall ensure that the verification reports about their character antecedents/posting details are certified by the Commanding Officers concerned in advance to avoid issuance of any fake character antecedents / posting certificates,” reads a guideline.
The DMs have also been directed to ensure compliance to the provisions of the Arms Act/ Rules  while issuing gun licenses to the forces as well as civilians.
Besides, they have also been asked to ensure that the security/army personnel in whose cases the licenses are to be issued present themselves before the DMs for verification of their identity.
“It shall be ensured by the district magistrate that the security/army personnel in whose case license is proposed to be issued is actually posted in the unit located within his/ her district,” the guideline further reads. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
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