Munger, Dec 25 (UNI) The Gun Manufacturer Licensee Association on Thursday demanded the Centre include the historic Munger gun manufacturing cluster of Bihar in the proposed Defence Industrial Corridor.
A delegation of gun manufacturers under the banner of the association called on union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in Ranchi and submitted their demand. The association represents owners of 37 licensed gun manufacturing units based in Munger.
The delegation informed the minister that the Munger gun factory has a history of over 263 years and should be given a place in the Defence Industrial Corridor proposed for Bihar.
The union minister assured the delegation of taking appropriate action.
The association highlighted the rich history of gun manufacturing in Munger, which dates back to the Mughal period when ruler Mir Qasim made Munger his capital around 263 years ago. At that time, an armoury was established in the Munger Fort area, where guns and cannons were manufactured.
The gun manufacturers welcomed the defence industrial corridor policy announced by the Central and state governments. They expressed hope that this policy would change the future of the traditional Munger gun industry, which has survived for more than two centuries.
The Central and Bihar governments have jointly decided to develop Bihar as a defence and technology hub of eastern India. The aim of the policy is to achieve self-reliance in defence production, generate large-scale employment, and promote high-tech manufacturing of defence equipment such as drones, AK-47 rifles, pistols, and other advanced weapons.
The association said that artisans of the Munger gun factory possess generations-old skills. If Munger is included in the Defence Industrial Corridor, the skilled workers can be trained to man
