Non-gazette forest staff to strike work from 22 June

The non-gazetted forest staff sported black badges as a mark of protest and demanding protection against increasing instances of attacks, commission and revision of salary at par with the state police.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The Mayurbhanj district administration has launched a probe into irregularities in firearm licensing after it was discovered that at least 16 gun licenses remain registered in the names of deceased individuals.

The issue came to light following the arrest of a former security guard in Bangiriposi, who had reportedly issued large quantities of ammunition and sold them to poachers involved in the illegal hunting of wildlife in Similipal. This has raised serious concerns over departmental negligence and the misuse of licensed firearms for poaching and criminal activities under the guise of self-defense.

According to official records, there are currently 583 licensed firearms across the 31 police stations in the district. Alarmingly, several of these are still active under the names of deceased persons, highlighting a lapse in the verification process.

Baripada Town Police Station tops the list with 103 firearm licenses, followed by Bhanjpur (39), Jharpokharia (37), Karanjia (32), and Udala (27). Other police stations with significant numbers include Rasgovindpur (24), Rairangpur Town (23), and Tiring (22). Notably, Sarat police station is the only one with no firearm licenses issued.

The official report further revealed that over 15 individuals, who are no longer residents of Mayurbhanj, continue to hold valid gun licenses and have been using ammunition without adhering to the mandatory reporting norms—such as submitting used bullet shells. In many cases, local police are alleged to have facilitated the renewal of such licenses without proper scrutiny.

As per firearm regulations, license holders are allowed to purchase up to 100 bullets per year and store no more than 50 at any given time. Every instance of bullet use must be reported to both the local police and the district administration. However, the absence of regular inspections has led to widespread violations.