Arms licenses being issued on fake addresses: Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav

In a video message shared on Twitter on Tuesday, Punjab Director-General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav informed that a thorough and extensive verification of arms licenses is being carried out under Punjab Police’s takedown of gun culture. Yadav stated that the investigation found that many of the firearms licenses were issued on the basis of fake addresses.

.@PunjabPoliceInd has started a 3-month drive against illegal arms.

As per the instructions of CM @BhagwantMann, Strict action will be taken against hate speech. Urge all citizens to maintain peace & harmony in #Punjab

#StopHateSpeech pic.twitter.com/mvviFhyJuV

— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) November 22, 2022

The investigation drive, which is going to last three months, will aim at identifying and cancelling illegitimate and fraudulent arms licenses issued in the state.

Earlier this month, The Bhagwant Mann-led government announced that all public display of weapons, including that on social media, will be banned in an effort to curb the glorification of violence in the state. Songs that promote gun culture, which are not uncommon in the Punjabi music industry, will also be banned.

Celebratory firing was also banned by the government. Furthermore, no new licenses are currently being issued unless personally verified and vetted by the District Collector.

“Glorification of weapons—whether in songs or in social media—has been banned by the Punjab government and strict legal action will be taken against those violating the government order, ” DGP Yadav asserted.

Additionally, Punjab Police has also been instructed to carry out random periodic searches all across the state.

On Tuesday, Patiala Police registered FIRs against six persons who were accused of promoting gun culture by publically displaying weapons on social media.

Patiala Police registered FIRs against 06 persons for promoting gun culture on Social Media and uploaded photos & videos with weapons, SSP Patiala said that those who create an environment of fear by promoting gun culture on social media will not be spared.#ActionAgainstCrime pic.twitter.com/bMWuPBCFTK

— Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) November 22, 2022

These changes in rules and regulations regarding firearms possession by the ruling government comes amid continuous scrutiny by the opposition regarding the ongoing gun violence in the state.

In this month alone, Punjab saw the killing of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri on November 4 as well as of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh on November 10.

Earlier this year, the murder of Punjabi Singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot on May 29, also led to discourse about the impact of songs promoting gun violence.