Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former minister Shibu Baby John and legislator P C George are among the political class in the state to keep a gun. While the Poonjar MLA is often spotted brandishing his gun, the other leaders have kept a low profile of their trusted companions.
Pinarayi was granted a gun licence for self-defence, the Kannur collector’s office said in reply to a query under the Right to Information Act. Details of the other leaders were not available.
Pinarayi’s security cover has been increased after he became the chief minister. The state government recently decided to buy two SUVs in Delhi to step up the security for the chief minister in the national capital.
The state government has granted gun licences to 8,191 people across the state for self-defence and protection of crops, 2015 data with the home department showed. While Ernakulam district tops the list with 1,633 licensed gun holders, Kottayam comes second with 1,603 licenses. Wayanad, in contrast, has only 148 licences.
There are still 6,357 licences pending the perusal of the government, as of last year. The revenue department documents show the number of applicants is on the rise. More and more women are applying for a licence to keep a gun. As many as 15 women have licensed guns in Palakkad districts, while three each in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kannur possess gun licences. Four women in Kozhikode and a woman in Pathanamthitta hold licensed guns.
Gun lincences are granted in India only in cases where the applicant faces a threat to his life. The licence is granted and renewed as per the Indian Arms Act 1959, rules 1962 and the policies of the Union government. A decision is taken only on the basis of recommendations by the police, revenue and forest officers.
Obtaining a licence could be a long drawn process since it involves checks by the three departments. An applicant can appeal against any decision unfavourable to him.
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