Chandigarh — The arms licenses of all those either detained under the National Security Act (N.S.A.) or charged with sedition in Punjab and Chandigarh are likely to be cancelled soon.
An exercise to this effect has already been undertaken by the Punjab and Chandigarh police.
The Chandigarh Police have recommended to the District Magistrate to cancel the arms license issued to Mr. Ranjit Singh Riar, a detainee under the N.S.A., for keeping a 12 bore doublebarrell Mr. Riar was taken into custody by the security forces on June 9 from the Sector 15 gurwara and a gun belonging to him was seized,
Among those whose antecedents are being verified by the local police are MajorGen. Narinder Singh, Brig. J. S. Dhillon, Bhai Amrik Singh Bagrian, Mr. Joginder Singh Sawhney, Mr. Sukhjinder Singh, Mr. Basant Singh and Mr. Bachittar Singh (all Akali leaders), Mr: Navjit Singh Brar, Mr. Amar Singh Chahal, Mr. Amar Singh Ambalvi, Mr. Manjit Singh, Mr. A. S. Babbar, Mr. Joginder Singh Deep, and Principal Mohinder Singh.
According to reliable sources, the police may propose to the Chandigarh Administration to cancel the arms licenses of those challenged under Sections 107 and 151 of the Cr. P.C. after the June Army action.
The Chandigarh Police, it is learned, will. move applications in the court of the District Magistrate and the Sub divisional Magistrate from next Monday seeking cancellation of the arms licenses of all those either charged with sedition under Sections 124A and 153A of the Indian Penal Code or detained under the National security “0. There are more than 50 persons, mostly leaders of the Akali Dal, the S.G.P.C. and other Sikh organizations.
A similar action 1s likely to be initiated against those whom the Administration or the Punjab Government has identified as ‘‘trouble shooters.”’
After the cancellation of the licenses, the arms and ammunition of these persons will be seized.
The Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration issued arms licenses to senior
Akali Dal and S.G.P.C. Leaders for their “personal security’ after activists had stepped up their activities in 1983.
Brig Jagir Singh, who was arrested at Delhi airport in July while allegedly trying to last. Year smuggles in firearms and ammunition, had secured arms licenses in his own name, in the names of his wife and son. The police are likely to recommend cancellation of all licenses belonging to the family. The Brigadier is detained under the N.S.A.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 15, 1985
