JAMMU: The designated Public Information Officer of District Magistrate office, Jammu presumably feels disclosing information about unlawful dealers engaged in sale of arms and ammunition is against the interest of nation as neither the PIO nor the First Appellate Authority (FAA) bothers to respond to a RTI application despite lapse of more then 2 months.
The JK Global News were regularly receiving complainants that few dealers in alleged connivance with some officials are selling arms and ammunition in Jammu district in blatant violation of laid down laws.
To ascertain the veracity of grave allegations which is a matter of serious concern, the JK Global News filed an application under RTI Act on Oct 20th, 2021 in the office of District Magistrate Jammu seeking list of dealers granted license under Arms Act 2016 for sale of guns in Jammu district. Besides, the action taken against unauthorised dealers.
Surprisingly, a week later after RTI application, the team of DC office Jammu led by ADDC Ganshyam Singh on Oct 26,2021 launched a verification drive of all gun dealers engaged in sale of arms and ammunition in Jammu district.
However, the PIO (ADDC Jammu) never furnished details about list of dealers authorised by authorities to sell guns as per Arms Act 2016 besides details of dealers whose license were renewed since 2016 and whether the license for sale of guns is transferable.
Though till date no official communication was made by the concerned authorities despite filling of First appeal on Dec 1st, 2021.However, the applicant received a call on Dec 8, 2021 at 16:38 hours from mobile number 9419658786. The caller identified himself as Ali Khan posted in the judicial section of DC office Jammu expressed his strong desire to meet the RTI applicant at his residence.
The request was turned down politely with a request to furnish the information if possible on my address mentioned in the application.
Sources told JKGN that adopted delaying tactics to hide the information is owing to strong gun dealers-tout-official nexus prevailing in the Union Territory of J&K especially in District Jammu. “Several gun dealers for the last several years in Jammu district are running shops without renewal of licence from competent authority. Some of these gun dealers also engaged in sale of guns by illegally transferring dealer license which is legally not tenable”.
Insider in DC office Jammu reveals ” The authorities is playing hide and seek in concealing information of dealers which actually required to be proactively disclosed on its website as part of transparency measures. Why, the PIO is trembling to share information about dealers who were issued licences for keep and sale of guns in Jammu district is mind-boggling”.
Pertinent to mentioned here that as per Arms Act 2016 every gun dealer need to obtained permission/licence to operate shop for sale of guns to consumers.
However, making mockery of authorities, scores of shady gun dealers who are facing criminal cases for their alleged involvement in issuance of fake gun licences to outsiders in alleged connivance with officials managed to continue sale of guns without renewal of dealers licence from the competent authority.
In 2011, the district magistrate Jammu prohibited three gun dealers from sale of guns and ammunition. Since then, the two dealers discontinued the sale of guns as the duo were not granted renewal of their dealership license due to registration of FIR against them in alleged case of issuance of fake licenses to outsiders by masquerading them as army jawans posted in J&K. But, strangely the third is openly selling guns at his shop sans renewal of licence which is a big sandal, added sources.
Sources further reveals “Everyone know the proximity of gun dealers and touts with officials posted in the judicial section of DM office in almost all districts. The touts and gun dealers are working in close association wherein the former procure fake gun licences on hefty amount for civilians belonging to other states by masquerading them as army jawans posted in J&K whereas, the later gets the benefits for jump in sale of guns at their shops”.
JK Global News view point: The District Magistrate is musketeer of his jurisdiction. The sale of guns and ammunition without authorised license is a mockery of law which needs immediate attention of the authority without delay. In the same breath, the PIO and FAA of District Commissioner, Jammu refrain from undermining basic objective of the RTI Act 2005 as it not only empower the citizens but also promote transparency and accountability in Govt working, contain corruption and make our democracy work for the people in letter and spirit. Apart from weeding out the blacksheeps in system who are protecting the enemy of society, the authorities must not feel suffocated in sharing a piece of information to RTI applicant who vows to expose the syndicate of gun mafia. Least but not last, the Chief Secretary of J&K must directs all DMs in J&K to proactively disclose names of all authorised gun dealers on their websites with month wise sale of guns. It will set the highly disorganised house in order.