Ludhiana: Think before posting your picture with a licensed weapon on social media. A dedicated team of Ludhiana commissionerate is keeping an eye on the social networking websites and such a photo can lead to cancellation of your arms licence and you may also get booked if you are seen firing it.
On Thursday night, the police commissioner posted a warning, “If anyone is found posing with weapons on social media, we will cancel their arms licences. And if they are seen firing with those weapons on social media, we will also lodge an FIR under the Arms Act. Let it be clear that weapon licences are issued for security and not for flaunting.”
Police commissioner Rakesh Agarwal said, “I have already formed a social media cell to keep a check on such activities. Senior police officers are supervising the team. The warning was issued after two recent incidents. In the first, son of an advocate was booked as he had uploaded his pictures and a video with weapons. In the other incident in Division 3 jurisdiction, some people had opened fire while celebrating Lohri. Such things cannot be tolerated. People have to remember that arms licences are issued for security.”
When asked if licensed weapons were used in both the instances, he said it was being investigated. “The police do not issue arms licences to people as young as 21. If it is licensed, it must be of his father or some relative. So the licensee will also be booked under the Arms Act,” he added.
He added, “If anyone sees a post on social networking websites in which a person is flaunting a weapon, (s)he can report to the police via email or on WhatsApp number 9115601159.”
18k licences in city
Ludhiana police have so far issued approximately 18,000 arms licences, and would not be issuing fresh ones till February 28. A SIT is formed to check if the licences issued so far are on correct information or not.