Three suspected poachers killed in Hanur forest firing; magisterial inquiry ordered
Three suspected poachers were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel in the Chikkallur Reserved Forest area of the Cauvery Wildlife Division in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, early Saturday.
The incident triggered tension in Hanur, where relatives of the deceased and local residents allegedly ransacked the office of the Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) at Shagya, alleging that the victims were innocent and demanding action against the personnel involved. A magisterial enquiry has been ordered into the deaths and the subsequent events.
According to a preliminary report submitted by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Cauvery Wildlife Division, Kollegal, the forest authorities had received information that a group of persons carrying unlicensed country-made guns had entered the reserve forest at Holemundatti patrol area in Shagya range for poaching. Forest personnel were deployed at different locations to track the suspects.
The patrol staff at the Ganigamangala watch tower reportedly noticed unidentified persons moving in the Gomadinahalli forest area with torchlights. The report said the suspected poachers noticed the forest personnel in the Karadikal forest area and allegedly attempted to open fire at them. The forest personnel claimed they opened fire in self-defence after the suspects allegedly failed to heed their call to surrender.
Three suspects sustained gunshot injuries. Two were found unconscious, while another was reportedly writhing in pain. They were rushed to the Kollegal Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
The deceased were identified as Antony Swamy (50) of Mari Mangala village, John Rose Peter (42) of Jagannatha Doddi village, and Kumar (33) of Laasa Doddi village. The DCF report stated that another suspected poacher, Mahimadan (45) of Mari Mangala village, had escaped from the spot and was absconding. However, Mahimadan was later found admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru, where he was visited by Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister C. Puttarangashetty and former MLA R. Narendra.
The Forest Department claimed to have seized two country-made guns and four bags from the spot. Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy later confirmed that the bags contained deer meat.
The bodies of the deceased were shifted to a mortuary at K.R. Hospital in Mysuru for post-mortem examination.
Reacting to the incident, Mr. Reddy said that if the inquiry established that the forest personnel deliberately opened fire on the suspected poachers, action would be taken against them. He noted that the incident occurred inside a reserve forest and that the men were allegedly carrying unlicensed country-made guns.
“The incident took place at around 5 a.m. Four bags containing deer meat were seized,” the Minister said in a statement. “People in Hanur are making several allegations. If the investigation finds that our officials deliberately opened fire, action will be taken against them.”
Mr. Reddy added that forest personnel had the authority to open fire under certain circumstances, but action could not be taken merely on the basis of allegations. The Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar will conduct the inquiry, he said, adding, “The truth will be known after the investigation. The post-mortem examination will also reveal several facts.”
Additional police personnel have been deployed in Hanur town as a precautionary measure. The Minister in-charge of Chamarajanagar district and senior officials visited Hanur and took stock of the situation.
After visiting the injured at a hospital in Mysuru, Mr. Puttarangashetty said relatives and local residents had expressed doubts about the shoot-out and that an investigation would be conducted to bring out the truth.
