The Indian state of Assam has implemented a new policy allowing indigenous residents of “vulnerable and remote” areas near the Bangladesh border to obtain gun licenses. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that an online portal has been launched through which eligible residents can now apply.

According to the Assam government, the decision stems from the limited presence of law enforcement in border regions, where it may take hours for reinforcements to arrive during unrest. Local residents, officials argue, must be able to defend themselves in the meantime. “If the majority community attacks minorities, knowing that the latter have access to firearms may make attackers think twice,” Chief Minister Sarma said.

Under the new rules, applicants must be at least 21 years old, physically and mentally fit, and have no criminal record. They are also required to hold a training certificate in line with India’s 2016 Arms Act. However, the government has not yet clarified which specific areas fall under the category of “vulnerable and sensitive.”

Future Risks and Pressure on Bangladesh

Experts warn that the policy could have serious consequences for Bangladesh. The Bangladesh–Assam border has long been identified as a route for smuggling drugs and illegal arms. With legal firearms now more widely available to local residents, there are fears that these weapons could easily find their way into the black market and across the border, fueling crime in Bangladesh’s frontier regions.

Tajbir Sojib, a Bangladeshi academic and Journalist noted that Assam’s reference to “Bangladeshi attacks” in its justification for the policy is particularly alarming. “Such rhetoric risks deepening mistrust and hostility across the border,” he said. “It could foster a ‘weaponized society’ in the frontier areas, posing a real concern for communities living on the Bangladeshi side.”

While the policy is presented as a measure to ensure local security, observers argue that it may, in practice, intensify cross-border tensions, increase the flow of illegal arms, and create new security challenges for Bangladesh. Many experts urge Dhaka to adopt a more cautious diplomatic stance and to strengthen surveillance along the frontier to mitigate potential spillover effects.

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