• Six out of 13 pellets removed from youth’s body
• Police register case on youth himself for sandalwood theft
• There are no sandalwood trees in the forest, claims Vedike

Mysore/Mysuru: Rajya Moola Adivasi Vedike Convenor Vijaykumar has demanded CBI probe into the shootout case by Forest Department staff on a tribal youth which resulted in permanent disability of the youth besides demanding Rs. 10 lakh compensation to the youth’s family.

Addressing a press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday, Vijaykumar said that out of 13 pellets embedded inside tribal youth Basava’s body during the firing on him by Forest staff on Dec. 1 at the forest area near Rani Gate in Periyapatna taluk, only six pellets have been removed.

Though seven pellets are still inside Basava’s body, the family members are being pressurised to get Basava discharged from the hospital, he added.

Pointing out that though Mysuru Superintendent of Police (SP) made honest efforts to provide justice to Basava and his family, Vijaykumar accused Bylakuppe Police of registering case against the                                    youth itself.

Alleging that due to old rivalry, a contract Forest Department staff had fired on Basava, which he termed as a crime, Vijaykumar said that Basava has been accused of stealing sandalwood in the forest where there are no sandalwood trees grown in this forest area. The accusation on Basava that he was stealing sandalwood trees has been created just to cover the shootout incident, he added.

Pointing out that tribal youth Basava is now permanently disabled and has to spend the rest of his life on bed, Vijaykumar questioned as to who would take care of his family now? and demanded Rs. 10 lakh compensation for Basava’s family.

Periyapatna Tribal leader J.D. Jayappa, who too spoke, warned of launching a stir if justice is not provided to Basava and his family.

Tribal leaders B.M. Basavaraju, Raju, Basavaraju, J.M. Somaiah and L. Muthu were present during the press meet.