June 7: An eye for an eye. A gun for a gun. That’s the latest counter-militancy measure from the Okram Ibobi Singh stable.

The government’s decision to issue gun licences to the people of the state “freely” seems to carry a simple point: If a potential abductor or extortionist points a gun at you, simply point it back.

“The government is considering relaxing the rules of issuing gun licences in view of unabated militancy in the state. The government hopes if the people are armed, they have a better chance of defending militants without waiting for help from police or security forces,” a source said.

Under the existing rules, issue of gun licence is restricted to certain categories of people. For instance, the applicant should convince the authorities that he requires the weapon for self-defence. Besides, the licence is issued only after police investigation confirms that the applicant is in real danger, the source said.

Earlier, the government issued licences to ministers, MLAs and senior government officials for self-protection. Now, anybody who wishes to be armed with a gun may get a licence.

The idea of a free licence was suggested in view of rising militant activities in both the hill and valley districts. Official sources said the abduction of government employees by militants and extortion threats to government employees as well as businessmen were on the rise.

The police said there has been no let-up in attacks on private residences of ministers, MLAs and senior government employees either with hand grenades or guns. These individuals are targeted whenever they fail to meet the outfits’ monetary demand.

Even civilians are not spared. On May 28, suspected militants gunned down Sanasam Jugeshwar Singh near his Langol residence in Imphal for refusing to move out of the locality with his family, the police said.

On June 3, the Kuki National Army (KNA) gunned down a youth, Y. Roshan, in Moreh, forcing the district administration to impose indefinite curfew to prevent a communal flare-up.

Business establishments, more recently drugstores and insurance companies, and government offices downing shutters have become commonplace because of extortion threats.

Though the army is deployed throughout the state barring Imphal municipal limits to assist the police in maintaining law and order, blood continues to flow in the state.

“Since we cannot give protection to each and every individual, we think the people can defend themselves better if equipped with a gun,” the source said. “In fact, the applications for gun licence are increasing every year.”