Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 30: Negligence by the Commissionerate Police in the issuance and renewal of gun licenses has found ample mention and criticism in the recently released CAG report.
The CAG report has pointed out that 141 out of 649 gun licences issued by the CP were not renewed till March 2014 after their validity periods were over. The maximum non-renewal cases were at Chauliaganj police station in Cuttack (72), followed by Laxmisagar police station here (51). No action was taken against violators for retaining guns without renewal of licences.
Gun licences are issued and renewed by the CP from time to time as per the provisions of Sections 13, 14 and 15 of Arms (Amendment) Act, 1983. Possessing a gun without valid licence is liable to attract prosecution.
Between 2009 and 2015, 93 new gun licences were issued by the CP in exercise of the powers analogous to that of the District Collector.
The CAG report further says even photographs of the licencees were not affixed in the gun licence registers in 88 cases, with the most instances in Chauliaganj police station (70) followed by Laxmisagar police station (13), indicating risks of misuse of guns with non-renewed licences.
The report also pointed that despite instructions of MHA in January 2014, a centralized database on gun licences issued and renewed had not been maintained at the CP office till March 2015. It was stated by officials in June 2015 the process was underway.
Chauliaganj police station inspector-in-charge RR Mohapatra, however, defended the police by saying that several reminders were sent to the gun holders to renew their licences, but in vain.
“We have tried to reach the gun holders who have not renewed their licences in all possible ways, but in some cases it has not been possible as they have moved out of the city. So far, we have renewed the licences of at least 30 gun holders,” Mohapatra told Orissa POST.
On photographs of the licencees not being affixed in the gun licence registers, he said that he has to check the register before making any comment.