Question : WEAPONS RECOVERED BY ARMY

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)

(a) to (d): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3296 FOR 24.3.2005

The details of weapons recovered/seized in the North Eastern States by Army/Assam Rifles troops during the last two years and till 15th March 2005 are as follows:

Year	No. of weapons
2003	915	2004	712	2005	260	(Till 15th March 2005)

The weapons recovered/seized by Army and Assam Rifles are produced before the police station on a seizure memorandum along with First Information Report. The seized weapons are retained in custody of the Assam Rifles or the Army designated armories till such time as they are required to be produced in the court as evidence. After completion of court proceedings, the seized weapons are deposited in Narangi Cantonment of Assam. Thereafter, such weapons are sent to Central Ordnance Depot, Jabalpur. While unserviceable weapons are destroyed, serviceable weapons are released to different units for use. Some non-service pattern weapons are also issued to service personnel on payment based on individual’s application and procurement of weapon’s licence.

The assessment by intelligence agencies reveals that the arms are illegally smuggled into the North Eastern Region from various sources including those located in some of the neighbouring countries based on which the Government has taken several steps to prevent flow of such arms into the region.