Bengaluru, Aug 15 — Three wildlife hunters were killed in an encounter with forest department personnel in the Shagya forest area of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka on Saturday, prompting outrage among the families of the deceased and residents.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ordered an inquiry led by a magistrate into the incident, saying the full facts will emerge only after a detailed investigation.
The deceased have been identified as Antoniswamy, John Peter and Savariyappan. The forest department claimed that four bags containing deer meat were seized from the spot.
However, residents alleged that the three hunters were caught by forest personnel and subsequently killed, questioning the forest department's version of events. Tensions escalated in the area, with protesters reportedly damaging forest department property and attacking the office of the sub-range forest officer.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government had received information about the incident and that he was aware of the facts available so far.
He added that the firearms allegedly carried by the hunters had been seized and that the bodies were being examined. A magistrate-led inquiry had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“The magistrate will conduct an inquiry. After the investigation, we will inform the people of the remaining details,” the Chief Minister said.
Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the incident took place in the Holadatti forest area of Hanur taluk. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said he received information about the incident while travelling in the morning.
According to Reddy, four persons allegedly entered the forest carrying country-made firearms and were hunting wildlife throughout the night. They were reportedly transporting deer meat when forest department personnel identified as Shekharappa, Rohith and Shivraj intercepted them.
Reddy said the hunters were carrying two unlicensed country-made guns and allegedly attempted to attack the forest personnel. Firing then took place between the two sides, in which three persons, Antoniswamy, John Peter and Savariyappan, were killed. Another person, identified as Mahim Das, reportedly fled from the spot.
Reddy said the government would decide whether action should be taken against forest department personnel after receiving the interim investigation report. He also said the issue of compensation to the families of the deceased would be considered based on the findings of the inquiry.
The contrasting claims by forest officials and residents have added to the controversy surrounding the encounter.