(a) whether weapons are being smuggled into the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government has any information about the quantum of illegal weapons smuggled in the country;
(c) the details and the category of the weapons seized during each of the last three years alongwith the names of the countries of their manufacture;
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to check such incidents; and
(e) the outcome thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 38 FOR ANSWER ON 26.7.2005.
(a) to (c): Instances of smuggling of arms in various parts of the country have come to notice. The exact quantum of illegal weapons in the country cannot be estimated. However, the total number of illegal weapons seized including smuggled weapons of various categories with and without identification marks are indicated below for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 -
Year No. of weapons seized
2002 15,710 2003 13,682 2004 11,406
Separate data for smuggled weapons is not maintained.
(i) State and UT Governments have been requested to make sustained and continuous efforts to unearth illegal arms.
(ii) Regular meetings are held with representatives of Police of States/UTs to monitor and take stock of the situation.
(iii) Border management has been strengthened by construction of border roads, security fencing, flood lighting and enhanced surveillance along the international borders. Schemes for strengthening coastal security have also been sanctioned.