Bengaluru: BJP leaders have stepped up their attack on the Karnataka Congress government over the killing of three men in an alleged forest firing incident near Hanur in Chamarajanagar district, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka demanding a judicial inquiry into the episode.
Ashoka questioned the conflicting versions from the Forest Department, local representatives and the district administration, saying the government had failed to provide a convincing explanation of what happened in the forest. He alleged that the circumstances surrounding the deaths had raised serious doubts and called for an impartial investigation to establish the facts.
“The statements of the Forest Department, local representatives and the district minister do not match. What is the truth and whose version should people believe?” Ashoka asked.
The incident occurred in the forest area near Hanur, where three men were killed in firing by Forest Department personnel during an operation against suspected poachers. The Forest Department has maintained that its personnel opened fire in self-defence after allegedly coming under attack from men armed with country-made guns.
However, the families of the deceased have disputed the official version and alleged that the three men were shot while they were sleeping. The allegations have triggered protests by relatives and residents of surrounding villages, who have demanded strict action against the Forest Department personnel involved.Ashoka also
questioned the circumstances in which the bodies were shifted to Mysuru’s KR Hospital. He alleged that a proper spot mahazar had not been conducted before the bodies were moved and said the sequence of events required detailed scrutiny.
He further questioned why the identities and background of the deceased had not been clearly established through a transparent investigation before the incident was described as an encounter involving suspected poachers.
“If the Forest Department personnel had to open fire, there must be a clear explanation about the circumstances that made such action unavoidable. If one person was shot, the others could have fled. Why were all three killed? Were all of them carrying weapons? These questions need answers,” Ashoka said.
He also demanded that the Forest Department personnel involved in the firing be kept away from their duties until the investigation is completed. According to him, allowing officials involved in the incident to continue working could raise questions about the impartiality of the inquiry.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Ashoka, however, said a magisterial inquiry would not be sufficient and insisted that the case be handed over for a judicial probe.
“If justice has to be done to the families, there must be a judicial inquiry. Those responsible for the firing should be kept away from duty until the investigation is completed,” he said.
Ashoka also criticised Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy for not visiting the spot and meeting the protesting families. He said the minister should have personally visited Hanur, met the relatives of the deceased and assured them that a fair investigation would be conducted.
Meanwhile, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra also condemned the firing and demanded a proper investigation. Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, Vijayendra said the government could not justify killing people merely on the allegation that they had entered the forest for hunting.
“Nobody can accept the killing of three people in an encounter merely because they were allegedly in the forest for hunting. The state government must conduct a proper investigation,” Vijayendra said.
He demanded adequate compensation for the families of the deceased and said the government should establish the circumstances leading to the firing.
The BJP leader maintained that even if the deceased had entered the forest for illegal hunting, they should have been apprehended and dealt with according to law rather than being killed.
The controversy has intensified as families continue to question the official account. Protests have been held in
Hanur, with relatives demanding compensation, government employment for the dependants of the deceased and action against the Forest Department personnel involved in the firing.
The Forest Department, on the other hand, has maintained that its personnel acted only in self-defence after suspected poachers allegedly fired at them. Officials have claimed that country-made guns and other material, including suspected animal meat, were recovered from the spot.
