No arms use by pvt security agencies as they can't be given licences: CV Anand

HYDERABAD: Private security firms should not use firearms as they cannot be granted licences, Hyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand said on Wednesday. Addressing a hybrid meeting at the TSPICCC auditorium here with the representatives of 103 city-based private security firms, he sensitised them about illicit weapons and against the practice of deploying armed security guards. The meeting was convened in the wake of the commissioner's taskforce recently busting a fake arms licence racket.

CV Anand apprised them about the norms and precautions to be taken to mitigate this serious security threat. Briefing the attendees about the recent case, he showed them the weapons and the fake licences besides sensitising them on the dangerous implications of deploying armed security guards and illicit weapons floating in society like in this manner. He urged them to persuade their clientele, especially banks and other financial institutions, to apply for arms licence duly mentioning the retainer licence requirement through which the security guards, deployed by the security services, will be authorised to possess the arms.

"The security agencies cannot possess arms licences as per the law and should not adopt this illegal practice and create a job mafia, " CV Anand said. He instructed his officers to take responsibility as the Government has given the authority to regulate arms licences.

The Police Commissioner also made it clear that Individuals who had been issued arms licences for their own personal protection, could not be employed as security guards. Security agencies cannot hire a guard with a firearms licence and they should also submit an undertaking to this effect, he said. He cautioned that non-compliance to arms rules would attract severe police action.