Karnataka - Madikeri   

No move to scrap gun licence exemption in Kodagu: official

Madikeri: Superintendent of Police Thrilok Chandra has clarified that the Police Department has not sent any proposal to the State Government to scrap the gun licence exemption enjoyed by the people of Kodagu.

Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Chandra said he was surprised by reports in a section of the media that there was such a move. Gun licence exemption was being enjoyed by Kodavas and “Jamma” (a form of land tenure) holders in the district for generations, he said.

A local daily and a regional daily had quoted an MLC from Kodagu, who, at a private function, expressed concern over the reported move of the Police Department. Mr. Chandra said that the MLC had been wrongly informed.

The practice of inspecting guns at the owners’ doorstep or asking them to produce the weapons at the respective police stations was continuing according to the provisions of the Arms Act.

This would help prevent possession of illegal weapons, he said.

On the need to do away with the practice of those exempted from having a gun licence producing weapons at police stations for verification, Mr. Chandra said “we will examine the issue”.

Mr. Chandra said that traffic mobile squads would be formed in the district, particularly in Madikeri city, to decongest traffic and prevent accidents. Traffic policemen on motorcycles would be on patrol throughout the city.

To a question, he said that there was no proposal from the department to open new police stations or outposts in the district.

However, there were plans to construct buildings for police stations in Virajpet and Napoklu towns.

Referring to the forthcoming Dasara and Talacauvery jatras, Mr. Chandra said steps would be taken to ensure that law and order was maintained.

On the Sunni Student Federation’s allegation that neither the district administration nor the police officials had visited the masjid at Bemmathi in Virajpet taluk, which was attacked by some people, Mr. Chandra replied that the police had already arrested the culprits.

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