After much preliminary investigation into the impact of small arms on civilians and societies around the world, the United Nations convened a conference on Illicit small arms and Light Weapons in all its aspects in July 2001. The purpose of the conference was to decide on steps nations should take to prevent the illicit trade in small arms. Non-governmental
organizations, under the umbrella of IANSA, along with other groups, took a prominent role in the conference, presenting evidence on the difficulty in separating legal and illegal transfers, and calling for tough controls on both state and non-state weapons sellers.The result of the 2001 conference was a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and
Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

NGOs around the world are preparing to take part in the global Week of Action Against Small Arms, 1- 8 June 2003. In a meeting in Mumbai organized by the South Asian Federalists to mark the Programme of Action week, a meeting of like minded people was held at Indo Japanese Association , with Mr. D Sivanandan, Jt. Director, CBI, West Zone,
Mumbai, as the chief guest. In his address, giving an overview of the crimes and violence scenario in India, Mr. Sivanandan offered his wholehearted support towards arresting the proliferation of small arms within the country. "Nearly 4500 illicit fire arms have been seized from terrorist and criminal gangs in the past 10 years and almost 75,000 people (33% civilians) have been killed in the Jammu & Kashmir region alone, in violence involving such weapons & explosive devices," he stated. "Investigations have revealed that country-made weapons are largely coming from UP & Bihar, while foreign made weapons are entering Mumbai through sea & air routes" (such as the recovery of AK-56 assault rifles, Russian hand grenades & ammunition seized in 1995 which came from the landing organized by Md. Dossa in January 1993 at Dighi seacoast in Maharashtra revealed.)

Small arms and weapons have been the weapons of choice in 46 out of 49 major conflicts and have claimed on an average 3,00,000 lives. Ninety percent of those killed have been civilians and 80% of those have been women & children. In Bombay, we have experienced the lethality of these illicit weapons in the horrific serial blasts of 1993, as well as the
loss of innocent lives in Mulund bus & local train blasts.

The easy availability of pistols, revolvers, handguns, grenades, explosives & other small arms & light weapons is one of the major causes of violence in civil conflicts in the Asian country, iterated the small but enthusiastic group of South Asian Small Arms Network (SASA Network) which assembled in Mumbai to mark the launch of the IANSA Programme of
Action on June 1, 2003.

The SASA network, a civil society Network on small Arms in the South is a lobbying network of organizations & activities of south Asia involved in building awareness on this issue. Introducing the gathering, Ms. Vijayam, of South Asian Federalists, an NGO and the Convenor for SASANET, Mumbai said, "The proliferation and misuse of small arms is
endangering personal security, undermining good governance, contributing to violations of human rights, undermining social justice, development& peace in all parts of the world. The millions of deaths each year due to these illicit arms occur in the context of national, sub-national& regional conflicts. The aim of SASANET Mumbai is to create awareness on
this issue & build a strong lobby to stop the spread & sale of these weapons with the help of the State and civil society."

Other events planned during the week to mark the POA are :

1. Inauguration and Open Forum with Police officials to discuss the way forward.

2. An Essay Competition on the subject : "Stop Arms proliferation and you can control Violence".

3. A poster competition on the subject of Violence and Terrorism caused through Guns and other arms.

4. A candle light vigil in schools to create awareness among children.

5. To submit a Memorandum of request to Government to initiate steps to help in this venture to stop gun violence of any kind in society.

The plan of action resolved at the meeting included creation of a web site for SASA Mumbai Network, highlighting harmful effects of small arms proliferation and specific programmes for children in schools& colleges on a regular basis, co-ordination with print & TV media in highlighting this issue through panel discussions & quiz programs, and
educating people about the facts related with small arms through regular publications & updates and representation to Government for legislation and action in this regard.

The meeting closed on a sincere note with members deciding to keenly participate towards increasing awareness of the threat of small arms and to take the help of the state to further this cause for the security of all.