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Illegal Arms Flood Bandipur Forests
20 Aug
Summary
- Hunters killed in Aug 15 encounter, revealing rampant illegal arms.
- Sophisticated imported firearms found in Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
- Forest minister seeks coordinated crackdown on illegal weapons.
The Aug 15 encounter in Hanur, which resulted in the deaths of three hunters, has uncovered a significant issue in the forests bordering Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala: the widespread presence of advanced, imported firearms. These weapons, possessing firepower exceeding that of forest personnel, are increasingly being found in areas like the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Recent raids, including one on August 18 at a farmhouse in Bandipur, yielded a cache of sophisticated firearms. These included a Swiss-made assault rifle, a German-made rifle, a Taiwanese submachine gun, and a US-made rifle, alongside live ammunition. Many of these weapons were unlicensed, raising concerns about organized networks supplying hunters.
Alarmed by this trend, Karnataka's Forest Minister has called for a coordinated crackdown with the Home Minister on illegal weapons entering the state, particularly near protected forest areas. The discovery of deer antlers and animal pelts at the farmhouse further implicates the illegal arms in poaching activities. Officials are investigating the source of these firearms, which are far more advanced than those typically carried by forest guards.
