Chandigarh: Under fire from people and opposition parties following the recent killings in the state, the Punjab government sought a review of all arms licences within three months. It also banned public display of firearms, including on social media, as well as songs “promoting gun culture and violence”.
Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in May this year while Amritsar Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri and sacrilege-accused Dera follower Pardeep Singh were killed within a span of a week this month.
The communication sent by principal secretary of the home department Anurag Verma to officiating DGP Gaurav Yadav, all police commissioners and SSPs said that CM Bhagwant Mann had ordered that no new firearm licence should be issued for the next three months unless the police officer concerned is personally satisfied that it is “necessary due to some unusual circumstances”.
The government has also decided to enforce a complete ban on public display of firearms, even on social media, as well as songs glorifying weapons or violence. Police have also been directed to enforce a complete ban on carrying and demonstration of weapons in public gatherings, places of worship, wedding parties and other such events. Police have been told to carry out random checking in different areas in the coming days.
The state government has also made it clear that an FIR should be registered and action taken against those who make hate speech against any community. Verma has intimated all police officers that it will be their personal responsibility to strictly implement these orders. The AAP government in Punjab came under attack from the opposition over the deteriorating law and order situation, especially after the daylight murder of Moose Wala on May 29.
