Poaching or killing? Tensions rise after three die in Karnataka forest firing

Three alleged poachers were killed in an exchange of fire with forest personnel in the Shagya forest area of Karnataka’s Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday morning.

The deaths triggered protests by relatives and local residents, while questions were raised over the circumstances in which the firing took place. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has ordered a magisterial inquiry to establish what happened.

The incident took place at around 5.10 am in the dense forest area under the Shagya range in Chamarajanagar district.

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said forest personnel had received information that a group of men had entered the sanctuary for hunting. Two forest teams went into the area and followed a torchlight before intercepting the group.

According to Reddy, four men were allegedly carrying two unlicensed country-made pistols and four bags containing deer meat.

The men allegedly attempted to fire at the forest personnel, following which the officials opened fire in self-defence, the minister said.

"At that point, they allegedly attempted to fire. The forest personnel told them, 'We will fire in self-defence.' Two of them died on the spot. One person was injured and was taken to hospital, where he reportedly died," Reddy said.

The three deceased were identified as Antoniswamy, John Peter and Savariyappan. Another man, identified as Mahim Das, reportedly fled from the spot.

Government orders magisterial inquiry

Shivakumar said several articles had been seized from the scene and that the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be established through the inquiry.

"The magistrate will conduct an inquiry. After the investigation, we will inform the people of the remaining details," the Chief Minister said.

He said the firearms allegedly carried by the men had been seized and that further details would emerge after the investigation.

Reddy said the government would consider whether action should be taken against forest personnel after receiving the interim inquiry report.

He also said the question of compensation for the families of the deceased would be considered based on the findings of the inquiry.

Families challenge forest department's version

The forest department's account has been disputed by relatives and residents, who alleged that the three men were caught by forest personnel and subsequently killed.

The contrasting claims have added to tensions in the area.

The bodies were shifted to a hospital mortuary in Mysuru. Post-mortem examinations were conducted after the arrival of family members, sources said.

Following the deaths, relatives of the deceased allegedly vandalised the Shagya forest office in Hanur taluk. Furniture, equipment, a motorcycle and the office board were reportedly damaged, while some articles were thrown onto the road.

Protests were also held in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.

Vatal Nagaraj demands action

Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj condemned the incident and demanded criminal action against those responsible.

"If the concerned ministers genuinely have concern about this, they should first resign. A murder case should be filed against them. They should not be booked under an ordinary case; a murder case should be filed against them," Nagaraj said.

"We are giving life imprisonment to so many people. They have killed three people together today. In Chamarajanagar. This is not right," he said.

Nagaraj also said he would stage a satyagraha in front of the Forest Department office.

Police are monitoring the situation in the aftermath of the incident, sources said.