Now Raina licensed to shoot

Ghaziabad District Magistrate Deepak Aggarwal said the licence has been issued to the cricketer for 8220;personal security8221;. 8220;In his letter of request, Raina had asked for a pistol licence and cited personal security as the reason,8221; Aggarwal said. 8220;On finding the request convincing, we have issued him the licence.8221;

Raina, he said, has fulfilled 8220;all requirements needed to procure a gun licence8221;.

Aggarwal added that the administration maintains a 8220;very restrictive8221; policy on issuing arms licence, which depends on the local sanctioning officer.

Senior district police officials said Raina had applied for the license a month ago.

The cricketer8217;s brother Dinesh Raina said the family is more relaxed after the licence was issued since they would not have to worry about his security when he leaves home 8212; for cricket or otherwise. 8220;He is a well-known figure and since the atmosphere across the country is not exactly peaceful, he must have felt the need for a pistol,8221; Dinesh said. 8220;He may not use it but having it by his side could help him be at peace and relax.8221;

Raina is in the Capital at present, preparing for a Ranji Trophy tie starting December 11.

The authorities in Jharkhand had recently relaxed rules to issue India skipper Dhoni a licence for his 9-mm pistol. The state government had also raised the security for the wicketkeeper-batsman.