Over 2.20 lakh arms licenses have been issued to civilians, army and security personnel for self-protection in the last six years, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said.
"During the last six years, 22,0628 arms licenses have been issued by the concerned district magistrates to civilians, army and security force personnel," Sayeed said in a written reply to a question in the Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Refusing to divulge the names of the license holders, the Chief Minister said arms licenses were not issued on the basis of community and revealing the names may not be feasible.
He said in order to ensure hassle-free procedure for issuance of such licenses, a web-based software has been developed which is being implemented in the state.
"Requests for extension of area validity of licenses are being processed online," he added.
Giving the break up, the Chief Minister said Kishtwar district had the highest number of 54,502 licenses followed by Srinagar district at 51,118 licenses. Bandipora had the least number of 19 arms licenses.
