Bengaluru, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed people possessing unlicensed firearms and illegal weapons to surrender them to the government by November 1, warning that strict action will be taken against those found with such weapons after the deadline.
Addressing the National Forest Martyrs’ Day programme at Aranya Bhavan in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said people who voluntarily surrender 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.
The Chief Minister said unlicensed country-made guns had posed risks to Forest Department personnel, many of whom had lost their lives while dealing with such weapons. He advised those who wish to keep firearms for personal protection or to protect livestock and animals to obtain the necessary licence.
Recalling an earlier drive in his constituency, Shivakumar said senior official Rammurthy had informed him about the widespread possession of illegal country-made firearms. He said more than 300 guns were subsequently surrendered by people in his constituency, although the government still had information about the presence of many such weapons.
On demands for allowances for Forest Department and police personnel, Shivakumar said the government would soon take a decision after discussions with the Finance Department. He acknowledged the risks faced by personnel protecting the country’s forest wealth and wildlife and noted that many had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The Chief Minister also urged forest officials to maintain cordial relations with people living along forest fringes and avoid unnecessarily obstructing development projects. He said forest encroachment was a longstanding issue that should be resolved according to law, while officials should avoid putting undue pressure on residents.
Shivakumar called upon officials to ensure the success of the “Teak Siri” scheme, saying it could benefit farmers while increasing departmental revenue. He also recalled former minister K.H. Ranganath’s decision to permit sandalwood cultivation on private land.
On 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, he recalled seeing more than 250 elephants during a visit to the Kabini river and referred to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s emphasis on forest conservation.
Shivakumar said tree parks would be developed on Forest Department land in urban areas to expand the “lungs of the city”. He also highlighted a successful tree-planting programme involving schoolchildren in Bengaluru and urged municipal bodies to give greater attention to such initiatives.
Recalling his long association with forests, the Chief Minister said his village, home and constituency had always been closely connected with forest areas. He also spoke about earlier incidents involving sandalwood and ivory theft, including the theft of ivory from a senior Forest Department official’s office and attempts to steal sandalwood trees near his residence and from ministers’ premises.
Reflecting on his political career, Shivakumar said he and Minister Ramalinga Reddy had each contested nine elections and lost once. He said the two were the only leaders to have won eight consecutive elections, while also noting that former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and B.S. Yediyurappa had lost elections in between.
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