• Incident in Cauvery Wildlife Division, Chamarajanagar
• Deceased were suspected poachers: Forest officers
• Villagers dispute claim, say they were farmers
• Two country-made guns, 20-kg of meat seized

Mysuru: Three men were killed in an exchange of fire involving Forest Department personnel in the Holemuridatti beat of Chikkalluru Reserved Forest under the Hanur Wildlife Range of the Cauvery Wildlife Division, Chamarajanagar  district in the early hours of yesterday.

While the Forest Department claimed that the three were suspected poachers who opened fire first, residents and relatives of the deceased disputed the version and demanded an independent probe into the incident.

The deceased were identified as Antonyswamy (50) of Mariyamangala, John Rose Peter (42) of Jagannathadoddi and Kumar (33) of Larsadoddi in Chamarajanagar district. Another accused, Mahimadas, 45,  is absconding.

According to the Forest Department, its personnel received confirmed information about the movement of suspected poachers who had entered the forest to hunt illegally.

Two teams were deployed, while surveillance from the Ganigale watchtower reportedly detected suspicious movement in Gomadinahalla and Seeranamada forest areas. Some persons were seen moving around  with torches.

Attack on Forest staff

Between 5 am and 5.30 am, the personnel reportedly noticed the suspected poachers hiding among rocks and bushes. The Forest Department said the men attempted to attack the staff and despite repeated appeals to surrender, tried to fire from country-made guns. The personnel then opened fire in self-defence, the Department claimed.

Three men sustained critical injuries, while another escaped into the forest. The injured were taken to the Kollegal Government Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Their bodies were later shifted to the mortuary of K.R. Hospital in Mysuru for further procedures.

Forest officials said they seized two country-made guns, about 20 kg of animal meat, food supplies, cooking utensils, camouflage material, cloth bags, knives, a machete, explosives, batteries, chargers and 38 live rounds from the spot. The seized materials have been taken into custody.

A case has been registered under Sections 2(16)(a), 9, 27 and 31 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Preliminary reports have been submitted to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Chief Wildlife Warden, Bengaluru, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Chamarajanagar and the Hanur Range Forest Officer.

Forest officials maintained that their personnel had repeatedly asked the suspected poachers to surrender and that the firing was carried out only in self-defence. They said the action was aimed at protecting forest wealth and wildlife as well as the safety of the personnel.

Residents dispute version

The incident, however, triggered anger among residents and relatives of the deceased, who rejected the Forest Department’s claim that the three men were poachers. They claimed that the deceased were farmers and had ventured into the forests in search of their lost cattle.

Locals alleged that the deceased had not entered the forest for hunting and had not opened fire at the Forest personnel. They questioned the circumstances leading to the deaths and demanded an impartial investigation.

Protest in front of Hanur station

Tension prevailed in Hanur following the shoot-out. Relatives and residents gathered in front of the Hanur Police Station, staged protests and attempted to lay siege to the premises. Protesters also blocked the Male Mahadeshwara Hills road, lying across the highway in protest. They questioned who had authorised the Forest personnel to open fire and argued that even if the men had entered the forest illegally, they should have been detained and handed over to the police instead of being shot.

The situation escalated when a group of angry relatives stormed the anti-poaching camp near Shagya village. The Hanur Range Forest Office was also attacked, with furniture thrown out and official records scattered.