‘Explanation unacceptable’: CM Vijay demands probe into deaths of 3 Tamil men in Karnataka forest
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has strongly condemned the killing of three Tamil men in Karnataka's Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, calling the Karnataka Forest Department's explanation of the incident “unacceptable”.
Vijay has called for an impartial, high-level investigation into the August 15 shooting, demanding accountability and appropriate action against those found responsible.
What happened?
Three men — Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter and Kumar — were shot dead in the early hours of August 15 in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area of Karnataka, according to Vijay's statement.
The three men were residents of villages in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district. Karnataka Forest Department officials allegedly suspected them of poaching and an exchange of fire was reported.
Vijay described the incident as a “massacre” and said the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough and impartial investigation.
Vijay demands high-level probe
In a statement shared by his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay strongly criticised the Karnataka Forest Department's explanation of the shooting.
He said an “honest investigation” should be conducted and called for a high-level investigation committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Vijay also demanded that those found responsible face appropriate punishment and urged the Karnataka government to provide assistance to the families of the three victims.
Protests in Karnataka
Protests were reported in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru on Sunday, with villagers and relatives demanding justice for the three men.
In Hanur, protesters gathered in the Datti forest area and raised questions about the Forest Department's account of the incident. They also blocked the road leading to Male Mahadeshwara Betta and demanded action against the forest personnel involved in the shooting.
Visuals showed protesters and police pushing and jostling amid heavy security arrangements.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK and PMK, have also questioned the claim that the three men were poachers and sought action against the officials involved.
Why the incident has triggered anger
The central dispute concerns what happened before the shooting and whether the use of force by the forest personnel was justified.
The Forest Department has reportedly described the men as suspected poachers and said the deaths occurred during an exchange of fire. Relatives and protesters have questioned this account and demanded an independent investigation.
The allegations made by the protesters and political parties have not, by themselves, established wrongdoing by the forest officials. The circumstances of the shooting and the conduct of the personnel involved will need to be established through the investigation.
Analysis
The incident has taken on a wider political dimension because the victims were residents of Tamil-majority villages in Karnataka and the issue has drawn reactions from political parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Vijay's demand for a high-level inquiry places pressure on the Karnataka government to establish a clear account of the shooting, including the circumstances in which the Forest Department personnel opened fire and the evidence supporting the allegation of poaching.
The Karnataka government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the deaths. The findings of that investigation will be important in determining whether the officials acted within established procedures and whether further action is warranted.
For the families, the immediate issues include establishing the circumstances of the deaths, accountability if wrongdoing is found, and government assistance.