Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
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, calling it a “massacre” and demanding a high-level inquiry.
The three men were killed early on August 15 in an alleged exchange of fire over suspected poaching. The Forest Department claimed that its personnel retaliated after the men opened fire, a version questioned by the victims’ families and political parties in Tamil Nadu.
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“It is heartbreaking that Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter and Kumar, who were Tamils residing in villages in Hanur taluk, were shot dead by Karnataka Forest Department officials in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. I strongly condemn this massacre,” Vijay said.
The Chief Minister rejected the Forest Department’s account and demanded an impartial investigation.
“The explanation provided by the Karnataka Forest Department is unacceptable. An honest investigation must be conducted into this brutal incident,” he said.
CM Vijay urged the Karnataka government to constitute a high-level committee, punish those found responsible and provide all necessary assistance to the victims’ families.
He also called on the neighbouring state to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
TAMIL NADU PARTIES QUESTION KARNATAKA’S VERSION
CM Vijay’s intervention added to the political reactions in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK and PMK have also condemned the deaths and questioned the claim that the three men were poachers.
DMK president MK Stalin described the incident as “deeply shocking” and accused the Karnataka Forest Department of acting with disregard for human life.
“The tragic shooting of three Tamil people by the Karnataka Forest Department in the state’s forest area is deeply shocking,” Stalin said in a statement.
“This brutal act, carried out with utter disregard for human life, deserves the strongest condemnation,” he added.
The reactions have added a cross-border dimension to the controversy, with Tamil Nadu’s political parties demanding accountability from the Karnataka government.
DK SHIVAKUMAR ORDERS MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he had ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the firing, including which side opened fire and whether the forest personnel acted in self-defence.
Shivakumar said Forest Department officials had briefed him and provided documents related to the incident.
“We cannot disclose every detail to everyone. I received information about the facts of the matter only this morning. Forest Department officials gave me complete first-hand information,” he said.
The Karnataka Chief Minister also assured the victims’ families of compensation. He said Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister Puttaranga Shetty and local MLA Manjunath had also approached him over the matter.
“I have asked them to submit a report on the compensation that can be provided. I will certainly provide some compensation,” Shivakumar said.
BJP DEMANDS JUDICIAL PROBE
Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka rejected the magisterial inquiry as inadequate and demanded a judicial probe.
Ashoka questioned how an inquiry conducted by government officials could fairly examine allegations against other officials.
“If officials investigate officials, the inquiry is certain to go astray. So far, all such inquiries have gone in favour of officials. Only a judicial inquiry can bring out the truth,” the BJP leader said.
He demanded that the forest personnel involved be relieved of their duties until the investigation was completed and questioned whether lethal force had been necessary.
Ashoka also criticised Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy for not visiting the site or meeting the protesters.
He claimed that the Forest Department had neither disclosed the type of firearms allegedly carried by the men nor conclusively established that they possessed wild animal meat.
WHAT HAPPENED IN CAUVERY SANCTUARY?
The shooting took place early on Saturday in a dense forest area of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Acting on information about suspected poaching, forest personnel encountered four men.
According to the Forest Department, the men opened fire at its personnel, prompting retaliatory firing. Three men were killed, while a fourth escaped.
Shivakumar said officials recovered firearms and two bags containing meat, including that of wild animals. The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain under investigation.
The deaths triggered protests in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru. In Hanur, villagers and relatives of the deceased blocked the road leading to Male Mahadeshwara Betta and demanded action against the forest personnel.
The families sought compensation and the arrest of the officials involved. The protest was withdrawn after the local MLA assured them that compensation would be provided.
Hanur Police registered an FIR against the forest officials under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with punishment for murder, following a complaint from the wife of one of the deceased.
The bodies were taken to KR Hospital in Mysuru for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy and inquiry reports before deciding on further action.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
