Dehradun : A startling revelation from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report has put Uttarakhand in the spotlight for a worrying reason.

In 2023, the state recorded 1,767 cases of illegal weapon possession, topping all Himalayan states. Of these, 1,184 people were caught with illegal firearms, while only four individuals had legal licenses.

Rising trend of crime and weapon misuse

These numbers are more than just statistics—they reflect a deepening trend in crime and weapons misuse. Uttarakhand now holds the seventh spot nationally in cases of illegal firearms. Officials say the rise is fueled partly by a growing belief that owning a firearm is a sign of status. The trend is also encouraged by social media, where many people post photos and videos with weapons.

Udham Singh Na

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