Dikhyaa Mohanty 
In Odisha, licenses to own weapons have been awarded to more than 18,000 people. Tusharkanti Behera, the minister of state (mos) for home, responded to a question posed by Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati from Jeypore in the Odisha Assembly today by stating that 18,268 people had received licenses to possess weapons in the state.
According to information provided by the MoS in his response, just 11 people have been granted an arms license in the Malkangiri district, despite Keonjhar district having the largest number—1327—followed by Angul (1203), Balasore (1155), and Dhenkanal (1126).
Behera was advised that, based on the Superintendent of Police’s report, the District Collector issues an individual an arms license for personal protection, sporting activities, target practice, and the protection of bank property.
