Surrender unlicensed firearms by Nov 1: K’taka CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru: 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 of stringent action against those found possessing such weapons after the deadline.

Speaking at the National Forest Martyrs’ Day programme held at Aranya Bhavan in Malleswaram, Shivakumar said no case would be registered against those who voluntarily surrendered illegal weapons.“Many forest department personnel have lost their lives because of unlicensed guns. If you are keeping a firearm for the protection of yourself or your livestock, obtain a licence,” he said.

Recalling an earlier instance, Shivakumar said a senior official named Rammurthy had informed him that several people were possessing illegal country-made guns. “At that time, more than 300 guns were surrendered by people in my constituency. The government has information that many more such country-made guns are still in circulation,” he said.

Decision on forest, police personnel allowances soon

Shivakumar said forest personnel play a crucial role in protecting the country’s forest wealth and several employees had sacrificed their lives in conflicts involving wildlife.

“The minister has made a request regarding allowances for department personnel. We will examine it and discuss the matter with the Finance Department. A decision will be taken jointly, including for police personnel,” he said.

Recalling his long association with forests, the Chief Minister said his village, home and constituency had always been closely connected with forest areas. He recalled fishing for mahseer in the Arkavathi river during his younger days.“I too wanted to become the Forest Minister. During S.M. Krishna’s tenure, I had asked for the opportunity. However, he made me the Agriculture Minister. Later, the Agriculture Department was given to Jayachandra and I was given the Cooperation Department. I was 38 then. Even during the Cabinet expansion, I was not given the Forest Department but was assigned Urban Development. It was around this time that the incident involving the abduction of actor Rajkumar took place,” he recalled.

Forest officials should support development works

Shivakumar urged forest officials to build a friendly relationship with people living on the fringes of forests. “People generally accept the police, but they do not accept forest department personnel in the same way. Develop a friendly atmosphere with people living on the forest fringes. Forest encroachment is not a recent issue. Let us resolve it according to law. Do not put undue pressure on people,” he said.

Focus on success of Teak Siri scheme

The Chief Minister asked forest officials to work towards making the Teak Siri scheme successful, saying it would provide greater benefits to farmers.

“Everyone should focus on increasing the revenue of the Forest Department. When K.H. Ranganath was the minister, permission was given to grow sandalwood even on private land,” he said.

Tree parks to expand Bengaluru’s green cover Shivakumar said the government would develop tree parks on forest department land located within Bengaluru to expand the city’s “lungs”. He said programmes involving schoolchildren in planting saplings had received a good response in Bengaluru and that civic bodies had been asked to give greater attention to such initiatives.