More groups in Kodagu seek arms sans licence!

[goodboy_mentor]

18 other groups are lobbying for the privilege to be extended to them.Those with exemption certificates fear they may lose their privilege if others come into the net

Madikeri: The demand of the Kodava Takk Janangakarada Okkoota (Kodava-language-speaking groups) in Kodagu for ‘exemption certificates' (ECs) to possess firearms, on the lines of the privilege enjoyed by ‘Coorg by race' and ‘Jamma tenure landholders' in the district, has given a new twist to the issue.

Those groups with exemption certificates need not have a licence to hold firearms.

Privilege

Kodava people who come under the categories ‘Coorg by race' and ‘Jamma tenure landholders' (which included other communities too) enjoy the privilege granted to them under Section 3 and Section 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.

Correspondence

The district convener of the okkoota wrote to the Kodagu Deputy Commissioner on February 5 this year to consider including 18 other groups (other than Kodava), which speak Kodava and follow Kodava culture, in the ‘Coorg by race' category. The groups mentioned are: Heggade, Amma Kodava, Airi, Koyava, Kodava Savita, Banna, Kudiya, Kembatti, Kaniya, Meda, Kodava Madivala, Kodava Nayar, Maleya, Panikka, Boonepattama, Koleya, Golla and Baniya.

The Deputy Commissioner wrote to the Principal Secretary, Home Department (Law and Order), on June 16, seeking an opinion.

Opinions sought

In another letter written to the Home Department (Law and Order) on July 15, the Deputy Commissioner quoted the Union Government notification No. F-15/13/59/VI/P/IV dated 13.07.1962 (GSR No. 993) regarding the exemption issue.

According to this notification, exemption certificates to hold firearms are issued only to people of the Kodava race and Jamma tenure landholders in this district.

Clarification

Subsequently, the Home Department clarified on October 28, 2010, that it was for the Deputy Commissioner to ascertain whether the 18 groups came within the ambit of ‘Coorg by race' or ‘Jamma tenure landholders'.

If records were available to buttress that fact, then granting exemption could be considered.

It is learnt that an influential person is behind the lobby seeking to get the privilege extended to the 18 groups.

‘No interference'

“The Indian Arms Act is a Central subject and the State Government cannot interfere with it,” said Brijesh Kalappa, Supreme Court advocate and Additional Advocate-General of the Haryana Government, when contacted on the telephone.

‘More in the net'

President of the Kodagu-Gowda Samaja Paikera Anantaram feared that ‘Coorg by race' and Jamma tenure landholders' could lose the privilege once and for all if efforts are made to bring others into the net.

President of the Akhila Kodava Samaja Matanda C. Monnappa said any modifications could lead to unrest in Kodagu.

Reference: http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/09/stories ... 390900.htm

[essdee1972]

"Divide and Rule" policy being continued by the present rulers. Why should a "Coorg by Race" and "Jamma Tenure Holder" get a gun without license and nobody else? Shocking that the 1959 parliament, comprising of people who had fought against colonialism, could pass this insidious piece of legislation.
No offense meant for Coorgis, and I hope none taken, my comments are purely against divide-and-rule in all its manifestations. We as "Indians" for guns, should be against all such sub-divisions within Indians as regards RKBA.

Regards,

EssDee