Dangerous craze for Illegal Weapons Among Punjab’s Youth

February 26, 2026

This new phenomenon is posing a threat to Punjab’s peaceful and developing environment. According to reports, in just one city, Jalandhar, 50 people have been caught with illegal weapons in the past six months. Of these, 40 are under the age of 25. In Jalandhar alone, 100 weapons have been seized in the past six months. These include country-made pistols and revolvers. Don’t assume this is happening only in Jalandhar; similar reports are also coming from other areas of Punjab. Criminals resort to snatching and robbery by brandishing these country-made weapons.

This could be the influence of violent films on OTT platforms. It’s possible that lack of sufficient income despite being educated has led them to the wrong path.

Some young people are also carrying such weapons in their pockets to show off to friends or rivals. Recently, there were reports of celebratory firing using illegal weapons at wedding ceremonies. This means that illegal weapons are being procured not only for robbery but also to intimidate and gain influence on social media. Jalandhar Rural Police recently interrogated a 21-year-old youth and then investigated other criminals, revealing that young people are purchasing illegal weapons from states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Alarmingly, an illegal arms supply network has sprung up in Punjab. Whether it’s a country-made pistol or a lethal weapon, it doesn’t take long for young people to fall into the wrong path. Gangster culture and gun culture are being promoted on the internet and social media, so much so that young people enjoy posing for pictures with illegal weapons. They take pride in calling themselves “dons.” Even if student elections aren’t being held in colleges and universities, individuals are emerging to declare themselves presidents and display weapons.

The recent murder of Lucky Oberoi, a young Jalandhar leader, was also motivated by a dispute over the college leadership position. This practice of possessing weapons has emerged as a status symbol. This fondness for illegal weapons cannot be considered beneficial to society in any way.