DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inspection and regularisation of all licensed and unlicensed factories/units engaged in the manufacturing of arms and ammunition.

The SOP has been framed in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India.

Dr. Misra stated that the primary objective of the SOP is to strengthen the enforcement of the Arms Act, 1959 (as amended by the Arms Amendment Act, 2019), and the Arms Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2022), in its true spirit and especially at the grass-root level.

She emphasised that the unchecked proliferation of unlicensed firearms poses a serious threat to public safety and law & order and thus requires strict regulatory and enforcement mechanism. This SOP seeks to ensure that arms manufacturing is carried out only by authorised entities and within the framework of law.

To operationalize this initiative, the SOP provides for the constitution of a District-Level Arms Control Committee in every district. The committee will be chaired by the District Magistrate and include the Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), the District Attorney, and an expert in the field of ballistics to be nominated by the District Magistrate as members.

Dr. Misra informed that these committees will inspect all existing arms and ammunition manufacturing factories/units within their jurisdiction, both licensed and unlicensed, within the next two months. Thereafter, regular monthly inspections will be carried out to ensure continuous compliance. The SOP mandates that inspection of licensed units should include verification of licenses, thorough checking of premises, machinery, raw materials, production records, and finished goods. Any violation of license conditions, including unauthorized manufacture of firearms or components, must lead to immediate seizure and appropriate legal action. The committees are also expected to assess safety and security arrangements in these factories/units.

For unlicensed factories/units, the SOP provides for immediate crackdown. Dr. Misra said that strict action will be taken against individuals involved in the establishment or operation of such facilities. Committees have been instructed to recommend these cases for classification under 'Chinhit Apradh'. Furthermore, unlicensed manufacturing hubs will be identified and dismantled, and civil society engagement will be encouraged to support government efforts in stopping the unauthorised manufacturing of illegal firearms. Police authorities will play a central role in implementing of the SOP. Each district's Superintendent of Police or DCP will be responsible for forming a dedicated cell of expert investigators to handle Arms Act cases. Coordination with intelligence agencies is to be enhanced to monitor trafficking networks and routes.

Surveillance will be increased at railway stations, bus stands, and highways. Investigating Officers are required to ensure thorough documentation, timely FIR registration, and proper production of seized weapons before the trial courts. They will also be responsible for forensic examination of seized illegal weapons and obtaining timely prosecution sanction from District Magistrates.

Sumita Misra highlighted the vital role of District Attorneys in ensuring effective prosecution. They have been directed to facilitate speedy trials under the Arms Act and prepare monthly reports on convictions and acquittals. The senior-most Deputy District Attorney in each district will act as the nodal officer to ensure the proper scrutiny of the charge sheets filed in cases registered under Arms Act, 1959.

(editor@dailyworld.in)