Concerns Rise Over Illegal Firearms in Northeast India Amid Recent Violence

Recent incidents of violence involving illegal firearms in Northeast India have raised serious concerns. With 11 Assamese individuals injured in a shooting by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh, officials are urging the Ministry of Home Affairs to take decisive action. The ongoing issue of illegal weapons in neighboring states, particularly Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, poses a significant threat to Assamese villagers, who remain unarmed. The Assam government is unable to address this cross-border issue, leaving the responsibility to the central government. The encroachment of forest lands for cultivation by miscreants further complicates the situation, often with alleged support from state officials. This article delves into the pressing need for a robust response to ensure the safety of Assamese citizens.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 14, 2026, 10:06 IST

Urgent Action Needed on Illegal Firearms

Locals carry one of the injured after the firing incident at Ming Mang. (AT Photo)

GUWAHATI, Aug 14: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) must adopt a firm approach regarding the proliferation of illegal firearms among miscreants from neighboring states, as failure to do so may lead to ongoing violence against Assamese citizens, according to official sources.

In light of the recent shooting incident involving Assamese individuals by assailants from Arunachal Pradesh, which resulted in injuries to 11 people, officials noted that such occurrences are not isolated. These types of attacks have persisted for years, primarily instigated by individuals from adjacent regions.

It was highlighted that many residents in neighboring states, especially Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, possess illegal firearms, while Assamese villagers remain unarmed.

The Assam government lacks the authority to address the issue of illegal weapons across state lines, thus placing the onus on the Union Home Ministry to take decisive action, the sources emphasized.

Most interstate borders are flanked by reserve forests, where miscreants from neighboring states attempt to encroach for agricultural purposes. Since Assam's division, individuals from hill states have sought to cultivate land in the plains. Recently, there have been attempts by these miscreants to seize forest land for palm oil cultivation, employing power saws to clear trees in the process. Alarmingly, some encroachers appear to have the covert support of state government officials, exacerbating the situation.

When questioned about the lack of response from Assam's forest or police personnel against these miscreants, sources explained that Assam's forces have been instructed to exercise restraint, noting that local villagers are unarmed.

Assam's forces are permitted to return fire only under extreme circumstances, as any fatalities could lead to significant public outcry. While non-state actors may act with impunity, state forces are required to maintain a level of restraint, the sources concluded.