18,268 people have arms license in Odisha

Bhubaneswar (IANS) | Arms licenses have been issued to at least 18,268 persons in Odisha, of whom the maximum—1,327—are from the mineral-rich Keonjhar district. This information was given by Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera in the Odisha Assembly on Monday. Responding to a question by Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, the Minister said that on the basis of the report of the Superintendent of Police, arms license is issued by the District Collector for personal security, sports and target practice and protection of bank property.

Behera said 1,203 arms licenses have been issued in the industrial town of Angul, followed by Balasore (1,155), Dhenkanal (1,126) and Kalahandia (999). While 325 such licenses were issued in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Police Commissionerate area, 75 licenses were issued in Raigad district. Arms licenses have been issued to only 11 people in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district.

–IANS