Hyd police begin scrutinising arms licenses after arrest of J&K fake licence gang

HYDERABAD: Following the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir-based kingpin Altaf Khan, along with seven others in the fake firearms licence case, the city police have started thoroughly scrutinizing security agencies, establishments and possible misuse by licence holders. Police are not only conducting thorough background checks before issuing fresh licences but are very particular about verifying legitimacy of the licences transferred from other states.

Apart from keeping an eye on private security agencies, which depute security guards to un-licensed establishments like banks, ATMs and jewellery shops, among others, they have changed norms for renewing existing licences. Applicants should submit the renewal applications in their concerned DCP.

To control further trade of fake licences, the city police will be cross checking with the issuing authority, particularly from other states, sources in the Special Branch (SB) disclosed.

Police have identified 66 persons in five zones who have acquired arms licence for self-protection and are using the weapon for guarding other establishments, which is prohibited under the law.  Police will issue show cause notices to all those that violate Indian Arms Act rules, police sources said.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle here on Saturday, city police chief C.V. Anand, said that the issue of illegally acquired weapons floating around in society is a matter of grave concern. “The Indian Arms Act governs the rules and regulations for issue of arms licenses and arms to citizens who are in dire need of such weapons,” Anand said.

The authority is delegated to the commissioner of police and district magistrates. Similarly, private security agencies are also governed by an Arms Act and they cannot give jobs to their guards having weapons. It has become a job mafia to tell people to somehow get a weapon licence and a weapon to get a higher salary as a private security guard, the commissioner said.

“Since there is a heavy demand for private armed guards, we are now thinking of ways and means to meet this demand rather than allowing a mafia to develop,” he said.