Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the fatal shooting of three Tamil men by Karnataka Forest Department personnel near the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district.
In a statement, Anbumani condemned the incident and alleged that the three men had been killed on the false accusation that they were involved in poaching.
He conveyed his condolences to their families. The deceased were identified as Anthonysamy, John Rose Peter and Kumar, residents of Jagannathothi, Mariyamangalam and Lasardothi villages, respectively.
Anbumani claimed that forest guards attached to the Kollegal forest division opened fire on them despite their not being involved in any illegal activity.
The Karnataka Forest Department reportedly maintained that the men had entered the forest to hunt deer and were killed during an exchange of fire. However, the families of the deceased have rejected this version and accused officials of fabricating an encounter narrative to conceal the killings.
According to Anbumani, the victims belonged to Tamil families that migrated to the Mariyamangalam region of Chamarajanagar district after losing their homes and properties during land acquisition for the construction of the Mettur dam nearly a century ago.
The families subsequently settled in Karnataka in search of a livelihood. He said there was no evidence to establish that deer hunting had taken place in the Mariyamangalam forest area or that an armed confrontation had occurred between the men and forest officials.
He also disputed the Forest Department’s claim that the victims were carrying firearms.
The killings have triggered protests among Tamil residents in the area, leading to tension.
Local political representatives, including Congress MLA and district in-charge minister Puttaranga Shetty and JD(S) legislator Manjunath, have reportedly questioned why the operation was conducted in the early hours. Human rights activists have also condemned the Forest Department’s action.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ordered a magisterial inquiry following conflicting accounts of the incident.
Anbumani, however, said such an inquiry would not uncover the full truth and insisted that the case be handed over to the CBI.
He urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to condemn the Karnataka government and press for compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of the three deceased men.
--IANS
aal/dpb
