Farmer had not used gun before

Shivanna, who shot dead extortionists Siddaraju and Kumar at his farm house on Sunday night, never had occasion to use his double-barrel gun before.  “I had no intention to use the gun.

 But I was forced to open fire when the rowdies tried to misbehave with my daughter-in-law and tried to attack my family,” said 52-year-old Shivanna.  He lives with his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law, aged mother and a grandson in a remote place in Vaddarahalli off Solur-Kunigal Road.

 A farmer, Shivanna was sociable, and had no problems with anyone in the village. “I have been living here for five years and am engaged in dairying. I own 10 cows and 200 goats and sheep.

 Since our house is remote, I bought the double barrel gun for security. I was already trained in handling the weapon when I got a licence from the local police three years ago,” said Shivanna, who owns five acres.

 Shivanna looks sturdy as he works on the field and bubbles with confidence.  “On Saturday, while I was returning home from a fair, Siddaraju accosted me and demanded money.  When I offered the `30 I had, he kicked me on my back and abused me.

 I headed home without reacting. ” “On Sunday, I was on my way to Chitradurga with my elder son, Subramanya. As we reached Hiriyur, my daughter-in-law called me over the mobile and said Siddaraju and his associates were creating a nuisance in front of our house.

 I advised my family to stay indoors and we rushed back home,” he said. “At 7.30 pm, 30 armed men came in vehicles and demanded money.  Though I told them I had no money, they did not listen and tried to attack my family.  When they did not heed to my warning shots, I shot at them,” he added.

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