Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday condemned the killing of three Tamil men by Karnataka Forest Department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, describing the incident as a “massacre” and calling for a high-level probe.
The three men were killed early on August 15 in what was described as an exchange of fire linked to suspected poaching. According to the Forest Department, its personnel opened retaliatory fire after the men allegedly shot at them. However, the account has been disputed by the victims’ families and political parties in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay expressed grief over the deaths of Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter and Kumar, who were Tamil residents of villages in Hanur taluk, and strongly criticised the actions of the Karnataka Forest Department.
The Chief Minister also rejected the department’s explanation and called for an impartial investigation into the incident.
Vijay urged the Karnataka government to establish a high-level committee, take action against those found responsible and provide necessary support to the victims’ families. He also appealed to the neighbouring state to take measures to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
TAMIL NADU PARTIES CHALLENGE KARNATAKA’S ACCOUNT
Vijay’s statement came amid growing political reactions in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK and PMK also condemning the deaths and questioning the allegation that the three men were involved in poaching.
DMK president MK Stalin termed the incident “deeply shocking” and accused the Karnataka Forest Department of showing disregard for human life.
He said the shooting of three Tamil people by the Karnataka Forest Department was deeply disturbing and deserved the strongest condemnation.
The reactions have given the controversy a cross-border political dimension, with Tamil Nadu parties seeking accountability from the Karnataka government.
DK SHIVAKUMAR ORDERS MAGISTERIAL PROBE
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that he had ordered a magisterial inquiry to establish what led to the firing, including determining who fired first and whether the forest personnel acted in self-defence.
Shivakumar said Forest Department officials had briefed him and handed over documents concerning the incident.
He said he had received detailed information about the incident only on Sunday morning and that the Forest Department officials had provided him with first-hand details.
The Karnataka Chief Minister also assured the families of the deceased that compensation would be provided. He said Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister Puttaranga Shetty and local MLA Manjunath had also raised the issue with him.
Shivakumar said he had asked them to submit a report regarding the compensation and assured that some financial assistance would be provided.
BJP SEEKS JUDICIAL INQUIRY
Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka dismissed the magisterial inquiry as insufficient and called for a judicial investigation.
Ashoka questioned whether government officials could fairly investigate allegations involving other government personnel.
He argued that only a judicial inquiry could establish the truth and demanded that the forest officials involved be removed from duty until the investigation was completed. He also questioned whether the use of lethal force was warranted.
Ashoka criticised Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy for not visiting the incident site or meeting the protesters.
He further claimed that the Forest Department had not clarified what firearms the three men allegedly possessed or conclusively demonstrated that they were carrying wild animal meat.
WHAT HAPPENED IN CAUVERY SANCTUARY?
The firing occurred early Saturday in a densely forested part of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary after forest personnel received information about suspected poaching and encountered four men.
The Forest Department alleged that the men fired at its personnel, following which the officials returned fire. Three men were killed, while the fourth managed to flee.
Shivakumar said the officials recovered firearms and two bags containing meat, including meat believed to be from wild animals. The circumstances surrounding the encounter are still being investigated.
The deaths led to protests in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru. In Hanur, relatives and villagers blocked the road towards Male Mahadeshwara Betta, demanding action against the forest personnel.
The families demanded compensation and the arrest of the officials allegedly involved. The protest was called off after the local MLA assured them that compensation would be arranged.
Hanur Police filed an FIR against the forest officials under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with punishment for murder, based on a complaint lodged by the wife of one of the deceased.
The bodies were sent to KR Hospital in Mysuru for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy and inquiry findings before determining the next course of action.
