Assam’s new gun licences policy for “indigenous” residents near the Bangladesh border has ignited fear and division. Announced on August 6, 2025, by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the plan allows those in “vulnerable” districts like Dhubri, Nagaon, and Barpeta to apply for arms licences via a new online portal. Sarma cites insecurity from recent unrest in Bangladesh, claiming Assamese-speaking locals face threats from across the border and within their villages.
Community Response over Gun Licence
“We just want peace, not guns,” said Ayesha, a Bengali-speaking Muslim in Dhubri, where Muslims make up a majority. Critics, including Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, warn the policy could spark gang violence and vendettas, calling it “a step toward lawlessness.” Assam’s 35% Muslim population, mostly Bengali-speaking, fears being targeted, as many are Indian citizens with roots predating Bangladesh’s 1947 creation.
BJP is Defending This Move
The policy follows a controversial 2019 citizenship exercise that excluded nearly two million people, many Muslims. Sarma, from the BJP, defends the move as a response to long-standing demands since the 1985 Assam Agitation against “illegal foreigners.” A post on X reflected Muslim concerns: “This feels like a plan to arm one community against us.”
The portal, set to launch this month, requires applicants to be “indigenous” and prove a “genuine threat,” with district authorities vetting requests. Opposition leaders like Bhupen Borah argue it undermines Assam’s police and Border Security Force, risking escalation in a state scarred by past ethnic clashes.
India’s Strict Laws over Guns
With India’s strict gun control laws, this move has drawn global scrutiny. Rights groups warn of potential human rights abuses, while locals like Ayesha dread rising tensions. As Assam navigates this sensitive policy, the debate over gun licences threatens to deepen communal divides in South Asia’s volatile borderlands.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 8th, 2025
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