Karnataka: Wild, wild west? CM for gun licences to shepherds

BENGALURU: For his clansmen, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has a new bhagya: Guns! On Wednesday, Mr Siddaramaiah said in as many words that the state government would simplify procedures for acquisition of guns with licence by shepherds (Kurubas). Speaking after unveiling the foundation stone for ‘Pashu Bhavan’ here, he asked those in the audience whether they were able to acquire guns to protect sheep.

And when he got a negative response, he said he would soon convene a meeting of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and ask them to find ways of simplifying procedures to help shepherds procure arms.

He said shepherds ought to have protection because they often stray into woods and vast tracts with their flock of sheep. “They often encounter danger, either in the form of wild animals, poachers or thieves who threaten them and take away the flock. At least for the sake of self defence, and to protect their own sheep, we need to arm them with weapons,” he said adding in jest that he intended to arm them only for self defence and not to create nuisance.

The Chief Minister disclosed that the state government was contemplating setting up Karnataka Meat Federation and also a chain of meat stalls across the state on the lines of Nandini milk parlours. “Meat being the biggest by-product of this business, we need to set up a chain of stalls on the lines of Nandini Milk parlours to sell it," he added.