The delegation said licensed guns are important for farmers in Dakshina Kannada, particularly those cultivating arecanut and other crops in areas affected by wild animals. Representing the licence holders, Jayaprasad Joshi Bellare questioned the decision to withhold or scrutinise licences across the district following incidents involving firearms in a few places. He argued that incidents involving firearms in two parts of the district should not result in difficulties for all genuine licence holders.
Farmers Question Licence Restrictions
Joshi also questioned whether there had been any change in the law after May 2025 and said different answers were allegedly being given to the public and in the Legislative Assembly. He said farmers depend on licensed firearms in plantations where wild animals, particularly monkeys, cause crop damage.
“Only farmers can understand the problems faced in plantations,” he said, seeking immediate intervention from the district administration. Delegation also raised concerns about the procedure for renewing gun licences. Licence holders said that if an online renewal application is rejected once, they are unable to submit another application through the online system. They sought clarity from the authorities on the procedure to be followed by applicants whose renewal applications have been rejected.
Minister Assures Reconsideration
Responding to the concerns, U.T. Khader said applicants whose online renewal requests had been rejected could submit a written application through the Praja Seva programme. He assured the delegation that the applications would be examined and efforts would be made to provide relief.
Khader said gun licences have an emotional and practical connection with farmers and urged officials to respond positively while considering renewal applications. “If a licence cannot be renewed, at least the department should consider the issue of compensation for the firearm,” he said.
He added that stricter legal procedures could be followed while issuing new licences, but renewal cases should be reconsidered on their merits. Khader asked licence holders to submit applications seeking reconsideration and said they would be given one month for the process.
Police: About 8,000 Gun Licences in District
Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K. said there are more than 8,000-gun licences in Dakshina Kannada district. According to him, around 2,000 licensed guns have been deposited at firearm deposit centres in areas including Puttur, Bellare and Sullia. He said the authorities are examining the reasons behind the large number of deposited firearms.
Dr. Arun said there had been incidents involving firearms in the past, including cases where people died and the firearm was subsequently found to be missing. “Because of these circumstances, the department is carrying out the verification process appropriately,” he said.
Issue Becomes a Major Farmer Concern
For plantation farmers, the issue is closely linked to crop protection and wild-animal problems. The licence holders argued that genuine farmers should not face difficulties because of isolated incidents involving firearms.
Delegation also sought a clear and transparent procedure for licence renewal and reconsideration of rejected applications. Khader's assurance that rejected applicants can submit written applications through the Praja Seva platform has provided a possible route for farmers seeking reconsideration. The issue is now likely to remain under scrutiny as the administration examines individual applications and the police department continues its verification of licensed firearms.
Keywords: Puttur gun licence, farmers gun licence Karnataka, Dakshina Kannada gun licence, UT Khader, Puttur Praja Seva, arecanut farmers