Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 17: During election time people who are holding licensed rifles should deposit them with the nearest police station. Now the gram panchayat elections are round the corner throughout the state. So this rule is in implementation. However, DC of Dakshina Kannada has overruled this order and has given the farmers except those who have a criminal background to retain the rifle with them.

The order of depositing the rifle with the nearest police station causes inconvenience to farmers, who own rifles for protecting their crops. In the beginning, DC of Dakshina Kannada Dr Rajendra K V had also ordered the farmers to deposit their rifles during the gram panchayat election. However, later the farmers brought the difficulties they face by depositing the rifles with the police. So the DC provided relaxation to farmers except those who have a criminal background.

The new order of DC says that appeals can be submitted to tahsildar if there is need for the farmers to retain their weapons to protect their crops. Screening committees are formed in every district for the same purpose. The screening committee will decide whether the respective farmer has to deposit his weapon or not.

Paddy and areca nut are the main crops of the coastal region. The farmers who grow these need the rifles to protect the crop from wild animals.