Anyone with gun to shoot wild boars; shortage of people with gun license may lead to crisis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While there are many panchayats where there is not a single person with a gun license, the power given to local bodies to shoot wild boars that enter populated areas will be difficult to enforce in many places. Although it was suggested that those outside the respective panchayats be considered, things could get difficult if there are no licensed persons in those areas as well. Wild boar infestation is severe in most of the rural panchayats.

The license to possess a firearm is issued by the District Collector. On an average, less than 50 people are licensed in a district. Most of them are industry leaders or dignitaries. As the number of gun license holders is low, there are growing demands for providing licenses and training to those directed by the local authority to shoot wild boars. Retired soldiers and policemen can be deployed for this.

To kill wild boars, they should be shot on the forehead. They can get more aggressive if they get shot in the body. One such incident in which a person lost his life in a wild boar attack took place in Kannur months ago. Therefore, the farmers demanded that those who use guns should be trained in this regard.