The Punjab Police are observing all arms licences allocated in the past decade after two modules of criminals and terrorists were found carrying licensed weapons.
Senior police officials said standard were bypassed in allocating licences, supposedly under political pressure.
During 2007 the number of licences dual to 4 lakh from less than 2 lakh. Most of the new licences carried commendation of the halqa incharges or Akali legislators. All cases will be tested,” the officer said.
Last month, a terror module was braked. TADA detainees and two former terrorists had a licence to carry weapons. We were surprised to find that persons with a criminal framework had got arms licence. The licences were suggested by politicians” said senior officer.
The police also found that a former Akali MLA had suggested licences of many persons with a shadowy past.
Gurpreet Singh nickname Gopi and Amna Seth, named in last year’s killer of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village district Faridkot and a self-styled called godman in Rajasthan, were found to have arms licences.
We are confirming the suggestions made in this case, also looking into all arms licences issued in the last 10 years, said an officer.
The move follows an declaration by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in April that the arms licences imposed by the SAD-BJP government would be revised.
