Staff Reporter, Guwahati: Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah has come out strongly against the Assam Cabinet’s recent move to introduce a state-specific arms licence policy, accusing the BJP-led government of trying to resurrect a culture of fear that once plagued the state. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Borah recalled the horrors of Assam’s violent past, marked by frequent gun violence. “We lived through a decade when even a single gunshot would keep us awake all night,” he said. “As the then leader of the Youth Congress, I have stood beside the bodies of Margherita’s Benu Chetia and Golaghat’s Nagen Neog. The trauma of those times is still fresh.” Referring to his personal experience during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Borah noted that credible threats to his life forced Assam Police to provide him with a bulletproof vehicle, jacket, and helmet. “Assam was desperate to break free from the clutches of gun culture,” he said. “Today, we have moved past that dark era. We must not go back.” Criticizing the policy as unconstitutional, Borah argued that arms licence issuance is governed by national law and not within the jurisdiction of any state government. “Even I own a licensed firearm. It was issued only after a proper investigation and due process,” he said, stressing that responsible licensing already exists within the legal framework. Targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly, Borah alleged that the policy was inspired by American-style gun culture. “We don’t want a society where guns are treated like toys and even children are seen flaunting them. This is not the Assam we fought for,” he asserted. He warned that such policies could lead to increased polarization and compromise public safety. “The Chief Minister is playing a dangerous game of divisive politics. This move threatens to disrupt the social fabric and could push Assam back into the fear-ridden days of the past,” Borah said in conclusion. The state government’s proposal has sparked debate across political and civil society circles, with critics calling for caution and greater scrutiny over any move that could normalize or promote firearms in public life.
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