Gun Licenses for Bihar’s Panchayat Leaders: A Move by Nitish Kumar to Address Rising Violence

Faced with escalating threats and violence against local leaders, the Bihar government is set to issue gun licenses to representatives of the Panchayati Raj institutions. This decision, made under the direction of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, aims to provide security to Mukhiyas, Sarpanchs, and other elected officials who have been targeted in recent incidents. District officials have been instructed to expedite the application process, emphasizing the need for thorough verification. The move comes in response to a series of attacks, including the recent killings of a Mukhiya and a deputy Mukhiya, as well as numerous reports of threats and attempted assaults across various districts. The initiative is part of a larger effort by the state government to address the concerns of panchayat representatives and to potentially secure their support before the upcoming assembly elections. Along with the gun license program, the government has also announced the construction of marriage halls in each panchayat, with a substantial budget allocated to support economically vulnerable women.