Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government will begin issuing the first batch of firearm licences to indigenous people living in “vulnerable and remote” areas from February 2026.

Sarma said the move aims to strengthen the sense of security among local residents in areas such as Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon and South Salmara-Mankachar, as well as localities like Rupahi, Dhing and Jania. The decision comes months ahead of the state assembly elections, likely to be held in March–April next year.

“We have received a lot of applications for firearm licences from indigenous people. The government will issue them very selectively,” Sarma said at a press conference following a cabinet meeting in Guwahati.

The state cabinet had first decided on May 28 to al

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