Forest encounter

Families block post-mortem; seek action against Forest officials 

Mysuru: High drama prevailed at the mortuary of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) at K.R. Hospital premises this morning as relatives of three men killed in a forest encounter incident in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar District protested against the post-mortem examination of the bodies. Hundreds of villagers joined the protest.

The three men, Antonyswamy (50) of Mariyamangala, John Rose Peter (42) of Jagannathadoddi and Kumar (33) of Larsadoddi in Chamarajanagar district, were killed in an exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel at around 5.30 am yesterday in the reserve forest area under the Shagya Range of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Refusal for post-mortem

More than 30 hours after the incident, the post-mortem examinations had not been conducted. The families refused to sign the consent papers, insisting that the autopsy should not be conducted until the Government provided written assurances on compensation, jobs for dependents and strict action against the Forest officials involved.

Relatives and parents of all three deceased were present at the mortuary. Authorities completed the initial mahazar proceedings after obtaining signatures from the family members.

Following the inquest, two bodies were taken for scanning, while the third was also undergoing scanning. Police said the post-mortem examinations would begin after the scanning process was completed, following which the bodies would be handed over to the families. However, the post-mortem procedures had not begun even at 2 pm.

High Court battle

Meanwhile, advocate Prasanna Kumar said he was preparing to approach the High Court on behalf of the victims’ families. He alleged that the Government was attempting to suppress the case and said a writ petition would be filed seeking that the investigation be handed over to the CBI.

The relatives said they were not seeking Government jobs or monetary compensation and that their protest was aimed at seeking accountability and ensuring that such an incident did not recur.

They demanded that senior Forest Department officials visit the mortuary in person and respond to their questions. They opposed communicating with officials over the phone and insisted that senior Forest officials or the Forest Minister address their concerns directly.

The relatives also alleged that the deceased had entered the forest in search of missing cattle and were shot at close range. They pointed to the gunshot wounds on the bodies in support of their allegation.

Probe begins

Kollegal Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Meena, who has been appointed as the inquiry magistrate, confirmed that the investigation had begun.

“The Deputy Commissioner has ordered a magistrate inquiry with a seven-day deadline. I have visited the site and recorded mahazars. The post-mortem report of the deceased is awaited, after which a full report will be submitted,” Meena told reporters in Hanur.

IGP camps at Hanur

Meanwhile, Southern Range IGP Dr. M.B. Boralinagaiah has been camping in Hanur since yesterday and holding meetings with senior officers, including Dinesh Kumar Meena, Chamarajanagar SP M. Mutturaju and Mysuru SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, at the Travellers’ Bungalow.

An FIR has been registered against five men accused of attempting to vandalise a Forest Department jeep belonging to the Kudalli Range of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The complaint was lodged by driver Arun Kumar at Ramapur Police Station and names Venkatesh, Chinni Prakash, Pachemuthu, Malashetty and another person.

Hanur MLA M. Manjunath announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh from the Government and Rs. 10 lakh from his personal funds to each bereaved family. However, villagers demanded higher compensation and immediate suspension of the officials involved.