Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh at the janata darbar on Thursday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, June 16: Residents of the state’s capital now want to follow in the footsteps of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, not with the blazing blade but in getting an arms licence.

At least 15 persons today visited the janata darbar of Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh with the demand that they be allowed to keep a gun. Singh outright refused to entertain their plea.

This is not the first time that people are visiting the Patna collectorate to seek arms licences — earlier too, many residents have made similar requests only to be turned down.

But the district magistrate today expressed disappointment over the people’s inclination to possess arms.

Singh asked these persons not to come to the janata darbar again with the same issue. The weekly darbar, he said, is meant for dealing with problems faced by the common people in day-to-day life.

The district magistrate was taken aback when an elderly man from Mausaudhi requested him to issue an arms licence. “Why do you need arms? I don’t think there is any need for you to possess arms,” Singh told the man.

The elderly person said: “Sir, I live in a sensitive area and I fear getting killed by criminal elements.”

Singh replied: “For all these days, there was no problem. Now suddenly you need arms. You think I will keep issuing arms licences to everyone in your area? I don’t think it’s the right way to deal with the issue.”

The other persons, too, went up to the district magistrate and placed their applications but the officer was firm as he rejected all of them.

An elderly lady along with her grandson also put forward her application and said: “Sir, we have a life threat and we need the arms licence.”

Singh said: “I can’t issue any arms licence, you take it from me. Had I said I would look into the matter, you would have just left. But you take my word, I am telling you that I will not issue any arms licence.”

The Telegraph asked Singh why there was a spurt in the demand for arms licences. “I really don’t understand why people need arms. The law and order situation has improved a lot and people are safe in our state. I don’t think there is any need of any licence for protection. Our administration is capable enough to deal with all kinds of problems faced by the people. We are always there to help the common man.”

So when are licences issued at a time when the law and order situation is loo