Bengaluru, August 17
The opposition BJP and JD(S) on Monday demanded a judicial investigation into the killing of three suspected poachers in an alleged exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel in Hanur taluk of Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district.
The parties also sought the resignation of Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, holding him morally responsible for the incident. The State government has already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the firing, which occurred inside the Cauvery Wildlife Reserve in the early hours of August 15.
Raising the issue in the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok alleged that the deaths resulted from a pre-planned encounter. He demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families and said a judicial inquiry was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the firing.
BJP legislators V. Sunil Kumar, Araga Jnanendra and B.Y. Vijayendra, and JD(S) members Suresh Babu and M.T. Krishnappa backed the demand.
Ashok claimed the men had sustained bullet injuries to the chest and neck at close range. Although forest officials were permitted to use firearms in self-defence, they could have aimed at the legs, he argued. He also questioned why only three officials had gone to the location despite adequate personnel being available.
Referring to Mahimadan, 45, who was injured in the incident, Ashok alleged that the government’s account did not include his version. He also cited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s condemnation of the deaths, saying Karnataka had not adequately addressed concerns over Tamil Nadu residents.
Reddy identified the deceased as Antony Swamy, 50, John Rose Peter, 42, and Kumar alias Sawariyappan, 33.
According to the Forest Department, patrol teams encountered four people carrying an unlicensed firearm and bags containing deer meat. Officials opened fire after allegedly coming under attack around 5 a.m.
Reddy assured the Assembly that action would follow if the inquiry found any wrongdoing by forest personnel.
