Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar Friday declared a war on illegal firearms in Karnataka’s forests, offering amnesty to those surrendering arms by Nov 1 and warned others of punitive action.The directive comes nearly a month after an encounter with alleged poachers near Hanur and seizure of a cache of imported guns and pistols near Bandipur, raising fresh concerns over the spread of illegal firearms in and around the state’s national parks, sanctuaries and protected forests.Participating in National Forest Martyrs’ Day here, Shivakumar said the govt will not register any cases against those who surrender illegal firearms and weapons. However, those who retain such guns and pistols beyond the Nov 1 deadline will face stringent legal action.In its Aug 21 edition, TOI reported on sophisticated weapons and illegal guns finding their way into forest areas.The Hanur encounter in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary landscape, in which three suspected hunters were killed, had exposed the dangers posed by armed poaching groups. The concerns deepened days later when forest officials raided a farmhouse in Kebbepura village within the Kundakere range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and discovered sophisticated firearms, including Swiss-, German- and US-made weapons, along with live ammunition.“The illegal firearms posed a direct threat to forest personnel and wildlife,” Shivakumar said. The CM recalled that senior officer (retd) Ramamurthy had earlier brought to his notice the widespread possession of country-made guns in rural areas.“I had supervised the surrender of more than 300 illegal firearms in my constituency at that time. But we have information that many such country-made guns and rifles are still in circulation. Many forest personnel have lost their lives because of unlicensed firearms.”CM’s love for mahseer and forestsShivakumar spoke of his long association with forests and wildlife. “My home, village and constituency (near Kanakapura) have always been entwined with forests. The Arkavathi river, which flows close to our village, once had now-endangered mahseer fish, and I’ve spent hours catching fish,” he said.Because of this special bond with the forest, he wanted to become a forest minister. However, then CM SM Krishna gave him agriculture. “Later, the CM expanded his cabinet and handed me urban development. It was during that period actor Rajkumar was kidnapped,” the CM recalled.Acknowledging foresters’ sacrifice in protecting the country’s flora and fauna, the CM said: “Minister Ramalinga Reddy has reminded me about the special allowances for enforcement staff, including foresters. The proposal will be considered soon in consultation with the finance department and a decision will be taken.”
