PRAYAGRAJ, June 8 -- In a city long associated with display of influence and bravado, fascination with firearms continues to run deep. Prayagraj currently has more than 42,000 licensed weapon holders, meaning there is roughly one licensed firearm for every 167 residents in the district. The figures are based on an estimated population of nearly 70 lakh after the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, though the final population count will be confirmed only after the 2027 Census. Despite the large number of existing licence holders, demand for firearms continues to rise. Officials in the district magistrate's office said that between five and ten new applications for arms licences are received every day. Concerned over the growing number of applicants, district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has made police verification mandatory before any licence is granted on two counts. Police officials said the verification process examines not only whether an applicant has a criminal history, but also whether there is a genuine need for possessing a weapon. According to officials, hundreds of applications are rejected every month after investigations reveal that many applicants seek firearms more for social status and influence than for self-defence or security reasons. Officials in the district collectorate said that, barring one or two former district magistrates, licences in recent years have generally been issued only in cases involving a genuine threat to life or property. Applicants such as sportspersons, ex-servicemen seeking work as security guards, and individuals facing security threats are given priority during the licencing process. The procedure for obtaining a licence involves multiple layers of scrutiny. Police verification is conducted to check whether the applicant has any criminal background. If any criminal record is found, the application is rejected at the initial stage. Reports are also sought from the concerned tehsil to determine whether there are any ongoing land or property disputes involving the applicant before the file is sent to the district magistrate's office for a final decision. Officials said applications filed merely as a hobby or as a status symbol are examined carefully because of the risk of misuse. If a licence holder is later found involved in criminal activities, proceedings are initiated for cancellation of the licence. In recent years, the district administration has cancelled several gun licences on the recommendation of the police department. Among those whose licences were revoked was former MLA Vijay Mishra. According to DCP (city) Manish Shandilya, verification of applications seeking licence for a firearm is a must on two accounts. First to check the existence of any criminal history of the applicant and secondly to assess whether it is meant to enhance social status instead of real threat to life. "If there is no real threat to life, the police report recommends the issuing of a licence for a firearm as not necessary," he added. Compared to other districts in the Prayagraj division, Prayagraj has the highest concentration of licensed weapon holders. Roughly there is one licenced firearm for every 280 people in Kaushambi, one for every 220 people in Pratapgarh, and one for every 290 people in Fatehpur....