A day after a farmer was killed in an accidental firing while targeting a monkey, the Himachal Kissan Sabha on Wednesday urged the government not to issue arms licences liberally.
State president of sabha, Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said issuing arms liberal licenses is a potential threat for social fabric.
He said that after the announcement of incentives for culling monkeys in the state, the tendency of taking licences for weapons has increased in the state. As per the available information, 57 arm licenses had been issued during the last 9 months of the previous year.
Tanwar also urged the government to constitute a task force for culling monkeys. Accusing state of being obdurate on the policy of culling, he said the government had been pushing farmers to take guns and cull monkeys and it was not a healthy approach.
"Due to inappropriate approach of government on the issue of culling monkeys, the desired result have not been achieved," said Tanwar.
He said that giving fatal weapons in the hands of common man resulted in death of a young farmer, who became victim of a bullet fired at a monkey.
He said that the incident has proved the apprehensions of their association right, as the Himachal Kissan Sabha had warned the government a number of times against giving weapons in the hands of common man.
He said it was necessary to have expert shooters for culling and liberal arms license to common persons should not be issued.