In a controversial move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Assam has approved a special scheme allowing arms licences to be issued to “original inhabitants” residing in “vulnerable and remote areas” along the state's borders, particularly near Bangladesh.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision following a state cabinet meeting on May 28, declaring the measure a deterrent against “unlawful threats.”

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma named six districts where the scheme would be implemented. Although most of these districts do not share a border with Bangladesh, they are predominantly Muslim.

The chief minister claimed that the decision was taken in response to security concerns of indigenous communities in these areas, citing recent developments in Bangladesh and local threats.

“It’s a very important and sensitive decision. Indigenous people in these districts live in an atmosphere of insecurity due to the recent developments in Bangladesh. They face the threat of attacks from the Bangladesh side and even in their own villages,” Sharma said, as quoted by Deccan Herald.

He claimed that while the state would not fund arms purchases, eligible individuals would be given licences to procure weapons legally.

"The indigenous people who are in a minority in these vulnerable areas face threats and are in a sense of insecurity. The decision was taken in view of long-standing demand by indigenous people in these areas. The government won’t help them buy arms, but will give them the licence to procure them,” he added.

Sarma also blamed past Congress governments for failing to act on these demands, suggesting that timely distribution of arms licences could have prevented land loss and displacement of local communities.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. State Congress president and Lok Sabha deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi condemned the decision as “dangerous” and likened it to a descent into “lawlessness and jungle raj.”

He called for immediate withdrawal of the policy, arguing that the government should instead focus on improving healthcare, education, and employment.

“I strongly condemn Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s decision to distribute arms to civilians in border regions of the state. People of Assam deserve jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, not guns,” Gogoi wrote on X.

“Instead of strengthening police and border forces, the government is intent on distributing arms amongst BJP-RSS sympathisers and local criminal syndicates. This will lead to gang violence and crimes based on personal vendettas. Local businessmen and traders are bound to be harassed. This is not governance, this is a dangerous step backwards towards lawlessness and jungle raj,” he added.

He stressed that strengthening police and border security, rather than civilian armament, was the government’s responsibility.

“This decision reflects not public concern, but electoral concerns. The Chief Minister must reverse it immediately and focus on restoring public trust through responsible leadership,” he concluded.

Former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupen Borah questioned whether the state was attempting to emulate gun culture in the United States, warning of dire social consequences.

“Are we trying to emulate the United States, where gun violence is rampant? Do we want our children growing up in a society where firearms are normalised?” he asked.

Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi also criticised the scheme, calling it a “dangerous political strategy” aimed at provoking communal unrest ahead of the elections.

“If the government says it cannot protect indigenous people, it amounts to an admission that the home department has failed. It’s a shame,” he said.

Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, echoed those sentiments, calling the scheme a deliberate effort to create divisions.

“This is a clear sign that the government has failed to protect the indigenous people. Now they are being told to protect themselves. First, it was Smart Police, then Police Raj, and now a free-for-all gun culture. This is not just incompetence, it’s a deliberate attempt to stoke communal tension as elections approach,” he said.

Civil society groups have also expressed alarm. Rezaul Karima Sarkar, president of the All Assam Minority Students’ Union, warned the move would disrupt the state’s peace and communal harmony.

“We, the people of Assam—whether minority or majority—are peace-loving. But this government appears committed to destroying that peace,” Sarkar said, urging the government to roll back the policy.

He further accused the administration of failing its core responsibility of ensuring safety and instead choosing to provoke violence by offering guns instead of tools for development.

“This decision reflects the government’s failure to protect its citizens and uphold peace,” he said.