Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir have the highest number of licensed gun holders in India, as well as the largest number of gun licenses issued, reported The Wire.
The RTI data revealed that Jammu and Kashmir had a total of 5,00,105, licensed gun holders, surpassing other states and union territories in the country.
The licences were issued between 2016 and 2023 and the total number of gun licence holders in J&K now stands at 5,00,105, compared to the last available data from December 2016, which indicated 3,69,191 licence holders.
In Jammu and Kashmir, a ban on the issue of gun licences was imposed in 2018. This was lifted in 2023.
The ban was put in place following a gun license racket that came to light during investigations conducted by the Rajasthan Police’s Anti-Terror Squad (ATS).
The investigation revealed the involvement of public officials, particularly some IAS officers.
This news comes as a surprise given that the region has been known for its conflict and security challenges.
In October 2020, the Deccan Herald quoted official data and stated that 22,805 fresh arms licences had been issued across the country between 2018 and September 15, 2020, and 17,905 were issued in J&K, which accounted for 78.51% of the licences.