Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued forearms licence to total 18,268 persons in the state for various reasons including personal security.
This was stated by Minister of State for Home Tushakanti Behera in a reply to the question of Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati in the Assembly on Monday.
The minister said as per government procedure, people can apply to the district administration for gun licence city their reasons including personal security, protection of properties, sports and target practice. The district collectors issue the licences on the basis of the report prepared by the SPs after verifying the claims made by the applicants, he said.
Behera further said of the total licences issued in the state, highest 1,327 people in Keonjhar district have been granted the permission to use the firearms.
Giving the district-wise details of the licences, he said 368 persons have been granted the permission in Deogarh, 291 in Sonepur, 225 in Boudh, 177 in Nuapada, 606 in Kandhamal, 11 in Malkangiri, 75 in Rayagada, 144 in Gajapati, 484 in Koraput, 1,155 in Balasotre, 1,203 in Angul, 429 in Ganjam, 518 in Jagatsinghpur, 620 in Puri, 338 in Kendrapada, 340 in Khurda, 694 in Sundargarh, 631 in Jajpur, 429 in Jharsuguda, 840 in Sambalpur, 558 oin Mayurbhanj, 999 in Kalahandi, 665 in Bhadrak and 923 in Nayagarh.
Besides 325 persons in the area under Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police, 309 in Berhampur police district and 411 in Rourkela city have been issued firearms licence, he added.
