States asked to crack down on illegal arms manufacture

Centre has directed states to take action against manufacture of illegal arms and ammunition some of which are reaching militants and naxalites, Home Minister P Chidambaram said today.

Replying to questions in Rajya Sabha, he said arms and ammunition were manufactured illegally in some states and the Centre has asked them to take action.

"We have asked state governments to take strict action against illegal arms and ammunition (manufactured and sold in their states)," he said.

"In our assessment, there are factories where arms and ammunition are manufactured illegally," he said adding the states have, however, not officially communicated the action they have taken.

The Centre, he said, shares information with the states and asks them to take action.

Some illegal arms and ammunition were being sold to naxalites and militants, he said and pointed out that naxalites also loot weapons from magazines. 

"Militants have access to illegal arms and loot armouries," he said. "It is a grave problem (and) we will address it seriously."

In the North-East, arms are smuggled from across the border, he said.

When Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP) sought to know what action Centre was taking against manufacture of illegal arms and ammunition, Chidambaram said crime is a state subject.

But, if all political parties agree the Centre, through its forces, would be happy to take direct action, he said.

"If all agree... Central government can directly take action," he said.

Chidambaram said he was not aware of illegal arms and ammunition being manufactured in North-East but pointed out that arms are smuggled from across the border. He, however, did not name the countries from where arms were smuggled to militants in North East.

He said in some states manufacture of illegal weapons has taken the shape of cottage industry.

The Home Minister said there was no information with the Government whether these or any such factories were running in connivance with the police.