Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr Sumita Misra has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inspection and regulation of all licensed and unlicensed factories or units engaged in the manufacturing of arms and ammunition. The SOP has been formulated in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Dr Misra stated that the primary objective of the SOP is to strengthen the enforcement of the Arms Act, 1959 (as amended by the Arms Amendment Act, 2019) and the Arms Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2022), especially at the grassroots level.
She emphasized that the unchecked proliferation of unlicensed firearms poses a serious threat to public safety and law and order, necessitating a strict regulatory and enforcement mechanism. The SOP seeks to ensure that arms manufacturing is conducted only by authorized entities and strictly within the legal framework.
To operationalize this initiative, the SOP mandates the constitution of a District-Level Arms Control Committee in every district. Each committee will be chaired by the District Magistrate and include the Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), the District Attorney, and a ballistics expert nominated by the District Magistrate.
Dr Misra informed that these committees will inspect all existing arms and ammunition manufacturing units—both licensed and unlicensed—within their jurisdiction over the next two months. Thereafter, monthly inspections will be conducted to ensure ongoing compliance.
The SOP specifies that inspections of licensed units must include verification of licenses, thorough examination of premises, machinery, raw materials, production records, and finished goods. Any violation of licensing conditions, including unauthorized manufacture of firearms or components, must result in immediate seizure and appropriate legal action.
Regarding unlicensed units, the SOP calls for immediate crackdowns. Dr Misra asserted that strict action will be taken against individuals involved in the establishment or operation of such illegal facilities. Committees have been instructed to recommend these cases for classification under ‘Chinhit Apradh’. Moreover, known unlicensed manufacturing hubs will be identified and dismantled, with active involvement of civil society encouraged to assist in curbing unauthorized firearm production.
Police authorities will play a central role in implementing the SOP. Each district’s Superintendent of Police or DCP will be responsible for forming a dedicated investigative cell comprising expert officers to handle Arms Act cases. Coordination with intelligence agencies will be strengthened to monitor arms trafficking networks and routes.
Surveillance will be intensified at railway stations, bus terminals, and highways. Investigating officers are required to ensure timely FIR registration, proper documentation, forensic examination of seized arms, and prompt production of evidence before trial courts. They must also obtain timely prosecution sanctions from the respective District Magistrates.
Dr Misra underlined the crucial role of District Attorneys in ensuring effective prosecution. They have been directed to facilitate speedy trials under the Arms Act and to prepare monthly reports on convictions and acquittals. The senior-most Deputy District Attorney in each district will serve as the nodal officer for scrutinizing charge sheets filed under the Arms Act, 1959.
To ensure continuous oversight, District-Level Arms Control Committees must submit detailed inspection reports to the State-Level Committee. The first comprehensive inspection report is due within three months, followed by monthly reports to be submitted by the 7th of each month.
Dr Misra further added that District Magistrates are authorized to issue any additional directions necessary for the effective enforcement of the Arms Act, 1959, and its associated rules. She reaffirmed the Haryana Government’s commitment to eradicating illegal arms manufacturing and ensuring that public safety and national security remain uncompromised.