Bengaluru, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Friday that individuals possessing unlicensed or illegal weapons must surrender them to the government by November 1. He emphasized that strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply with this deadline.
Addressing the gathering at the National Forest Martyrs Day event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar assured that no criminal charges would be filed against those who voluntarily hand over their illegal weapons before the deadline. “People should submit their unlicensed and illegal firearms to the government by November 1, or face severe consequences,” he stated.
He highlighted the dangers posed by unlicensed firearms, noting that many forest department employees have lost their lives due to such weapons. Shivakumar urged those who wish to keep guns for personal or animal safety to obtain the necessary licenses instead of resorting to illegal means.
Recalling a past incident, he mentioned a senior officer, Ramamurthy, who informed him about the prevalence of illegal country-made guns among the public. “At that time, I facilitated the surrender of over 300 guns from my constituency. The government is aware that many country-made firearms are still in circulation,” he said.
This directive stems from concerns about the risks associated with unlicensed country-made firearms, particularly in forest areas. Shivakumar appealed to individuals to seek proper licenses rather than keeping weapons illegally.
On the topic of allowances for forest and police personnel, he indicated that the government would soon address this issue. “You protect the country’s forest wealth. Many employees have lost their lives dealing with wildlife conflicts. We will consider the minister’s request regarding departmental allowances and will discuss this matter with the finance department to make a collective decision for everyone,” he added.
Shivakumar reflected on his deep connection to the forests, citing his village and constituency’s longstanding relationship with forested areas. He reminisced about fishing in the Arkavati River, recalling the presence of Mahseer fish.
He also shared his past aspiration to become the Forest Minister, recalling how he requested this portfolio during former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna’s tenure. However, Krishna appointed him as Agriculture Minister instead.
The Chief Minister urged forest officials to maintain friendly relations with local communities and not obstruct development projects. “Encroachment on forests is not a new issue. Let us resolve it according to the law. Do not pressure the people,” he said, noting that officials sometimes exhibit excessive strictness and that some leniency should be allowed for development initiatives.
Shivakumar encouraged forest officials to work towards the success of the “Teak Siri” scheme, which he believes will benefit farmers and enhance departmental revenue. He reminded them of a previous initiative allowing private landowners to cultivate sandalwood.
He also mentioned the Kasturirangan report, indicating that Karnataka has returned it multiple times, alleging unfair treatment compared to Kerala. A special session will be convened to discuss this issue.
Citing Karnataka’s rich wildlife, he reminisced about visiting the Kabini River and spotting over 250 elephants in a short span. He also recalled former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s emphasis on forest conservation.
To expand “the lungs of the city,” Shivakumar announced plans to develop tree parks on forest department land in urban areas. He noted the success of a tree-planting initiative involving school children in Bengaluru and urged local bodies to prioritize such efforts.
Lastly, he addressed incidents of sandalwood and ivory theft, including the theft of ivory from a senior forest officer’s office and attempts to steal sandalwood from ministers’ residences.
Reflecting on his political journey with Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Shivakumar noted that both have contested nine elections, each losing once, but they have both won eight times consecutively.
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