Bengaluru, Sept. 12 -- Echo of Hanur forest encounter, Bandipur arms seizure

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has warned people possessing unlicenced weapons, particularly those living in and around forest areas, to surrender them before Nov. 1.

Speaking after offering floral tributes at the Forest Martyrs' Day event in Bengaluru yesterday, he said people should surrender illegal and unlicenced weapons within a month, failing which strict action would be taken.

The directive comes nearly a month after an encounter with poachers near Hanur and the seizure of a cache of imported guns and pistols near Bandipur, raising concerns over the circulation of illegal firearms in and around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and protected forests....