Security map to give back arms to people in Algeria

The Algerian government will give back hunting guns to people who deposited them to security forces during the wave of terrorism in the 1990’s, Echorouk has learnt.

• This came as calm has been restored in many areas in the country especially western and south-western Algeria. People insisted on taking back their arms. They put pressure and submitted requests while public authorities were considering starting the procedure.
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• The procedure will be conducted progressively in the safest areas where no terrorist attack has been carried out for 10 years, say the same sources.
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• The Kabylie region including the provinces of Bouira, Boumerdes, Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia as they still shelter terrorists. Southern areas close to the Sahel and located in borders between Tamenrasset province and northern Mali are also excluded from the procedure as they are under the control of Touareg rebels and terrorists.
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• Early in the 1990’s, security authorities took back more than 25,000 weapons owned by people. Most of them were hunting guns used for self-defence.
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• Self-defence agents are asking the authorities to ban the decision to take back their arms. They say they still need them to protect people from thefts.