Bengaluru, Sep 11 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday directed people possessing unlicensed firearms and illegal weapons to surrender them to the government by November 1, warning that strict action would be taken against those found possessing such weapons after the deadline.
Speaking at the National Forest Martyrs’ Day programme held at Aranya Bhavan in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said those who voluntarily surrendered illegal firearms before the deadline would not face criminal cases.
“People should surrender unlicensed and illegal firearms and weapons to the government by November 1. Otherwise, strict action will be taken,” he said.
“If illegal weapons are surrendered voluntarily, no case will be registered. Many Forest Department personnel have lost their lives due to unlicensed guns. If you want to keep a gun for your own protection or to protect your animals, obtain a licence,” Shivakumar said.
Recalling an earlier instance, the Chief Minister said a senior official named Rammurthy had informed him that many people were possessing illegal country-made firearms.
“At that time, I had more than 300 guns surrendered by people in my constituency to the government. The government has information that there are still many more country-made guns,” he said.
Shivakumar’s direction comes in the context of concerns over unlicensed country-made firearms and the risks they pose, particularly in forest areas. He urged people who keep guns for self-protection or to protect their livestock and animals to obtain the necessary licence instead of possessing them illegally.
On allowances for forest and police personnel, Shivakumar said the government would soon take a decision on the issue.
“You are the people protecting the country’s forest wealth. Many personnel have sacrificed their lives while dealing with conflicts involving wildlife. The request made by the minister regarding allowances for departmental staff will be considered. We will discuss the matter with the Finance Department and take a decision collectively, including for the Police Department,” he said.
Recalling his association with forests, Shivakumar said his village, home and constituency had always been closely connected with forest areas. He said there used to be Mahseer fish in the Arkavathi and recalled sitting there fishing.
The Chief Minister said he had once aspired to become Forest Minister and had sought the portfolio during the tenure of former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna. However, Krishna made him Agriculture Minister before later giving the Agriculture Department to Jayachandra and assigning Shivakumar the Cooperation Department. He said he was 38 at the time.
Shivakumar also urged forest officials to maintain a friendly relationship with people living on forest fringes and not obstruct development projects.
“Forest encroachment is not something that started yesterday. Let us resolve it according to the law. Do not put pressure on people,” he said, adding that officials sometimes acted excessively and that certain exemptions should be given for development works.
On the “Teak Siri” scheme, he urged forest officials to work towards its success, saying it would benefit farmers and increase the department’s revenue. He also recalled that former minister K.H. Ranganath had allowed sandalwood cultivation on private land.
Referring to the Kasturirangan report, Shivakumar said Karnataka had returned it three or four times and alleged that the state had been treated differently from Kerala. He said a special session would be convened to discuss the issue.
Highlighting Karnataka’s wildlife wealth, Shivakumar recalled visiting Kabini (river) and seeing more than 250 elephants within a short period. He also recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s emphasis on forest conservation.
The Chief Minister said tree parks would be developed on Forest Department land in urban areas to expand the “lungs of the city”. He also said a tree-planting programme involving schoolchildren had been successful in Bengaluru and urged municipal bodies to give greater attention to such initiatives.
Shivakumar also recalled incidents of sandalwood and ivory theft, including the theft of ivory from the office of a senior Forest Department official and attempts to steal sandalwood trees near his residence and from ministers’ premises.
Recalling his political association with Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Shivakumar said both had contested nine elections and lost once each. “We are the only two who have won eight times consecutively. Siddaramaiah and Yediyurappa have also lost elections in between,” he said.
–IANS
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