Pulling out a revolver and opening fire at the drop of a hat seems to have become a trend in SAS Nagar, showing that there is no fear of law.
SAS Nagar district has about 6,100 valid firearm licence holders with only about a hundred in the name of women.
In view of the increasing misuse of licensed firearms, the police have recommended cancellation of 138 licences in the last one year.
Despite this, there have been three incidents of firing in SAS Nagar, triggered by minor disputes, in August alone.
"There has been an increase in the number of firing cases where the accused fired gunshots to create panic. To check this disturbing trend, we have recommended cancellation of 138 arms licences in the past one year," said SAS Nagar SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.
He said the persons behind the firing incidents reported in August had no criminal background. "They reacted on the spur of the moment. They had no history of violent behaviour in public. In such cases, the accused are arrested immediately to instill a sense of security among residents. We will be stepping up night patrolling," said the SSP.
"Arms licences are issued for self-defence. Such incidents create panic among residents. We will strictly deal with this problem and act on the police recommendation of cancelling arms licences. We are also considering to get more strict while issuing new licences," said deputy commissioner Varun Roojam.
{{/usCountry}}"Arms licences are issued for self-defence. Such incidents create panic among residents. We will strictly deal with this problem and act on the police recommendation of cancelling arms licences. We are also considering to get more strict while issuing new licences," said deputy commissioner Varun Roojam.
{{/usCountry}}Recent cases
August 8, Guriqbal Singh of Phase 6, along with his sons Jaspreet and Iqbal Preet, opened fire at Tarlochan Singh, who runs a taxi stand in Phase 1. Guriqbal, Jaspreet arrested under the Arms Act, Iqbal Preet still at large.
August 23: Jatinderjit Singh of Phase 6 allegedly fired two gunshots and flattened the tyres of his neighbour's vehicle parked outside his house. Arrested under the Arms Act.