KOCHI: The district administration has decided to suspend the licence of fire arms holders who fail to register with the national database before April 1.
According to a statement issued by Additional District Magistrate C K Prakash here on Thursday, only 30 per cent of the arms holders have registered with the national database, despite repeated alerts. Earlier, the Central Government had warned that licensing authorities would cancel the arms licence of those who fail to register with the database before April 1, and secure the unique identification number.
In addition to the unique identification number and database, stringent regulations have been put in place for issuance/renewal of arms licence across the country, as part of the initiatives to curb terrorist activities. The database contains the name and address of the licence holder, the type of weapon and the licence number. Arms licence holders in all districts were notified about the regulation through the respective taluk offices.
“The licence holders have not taken the notification seriously. Those who possess arms are requested to complete the registration procedures before April 1, and to verify the details by cross-checking the databse entries at taluk offices,” said Prakash.
The district administration has also made arrangements for fire arms holders to register for unique identification number on March 15, 16 and 17 at the civil station. “We are requesting arms licence holders to use this facility to renew their licence. Licences of non-registered arms holders will be suspended on April 1,” said the ADM.