Karnataka: Inquiry Begins Into Gunning Down Of Poachers

BENGALURU: Enquiry has begun into the gunning down of 3 poachers allegedly by night forest patrolling teams at Shagya section of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar and heading the Executive Magistrate enquiry under Assistant Commissioner of Kollegal sub-division on the order of Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shree Roopa.

Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Meena told reporters on Sunday a report will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner once the enquiry into the death of poachers-Anthnoy Swamy (50) of Mariamangala, John Rose Peter (42) of Jagannathadoddi and Kumar (33) of Larsadoddi on Saturday at around 5. 30 am in Hanur range. Enquiry into the case will be conducted on the basis of autopsy examination reports on the dead persons. He stated a spot inspection of the location where alleged poachers were shot dead has been done.

It may be recalled here, night patrolling personnel attached to Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary shot dead 3 poachers while one managed to escape during an exchange of firing when forest patrolling staff came across armed poachers with country made guns and carrying considerable quantities of meat suspected to be deer. The wildlife meat was carried in two-bags when poachers came across forest patrolling members leading to exchange of fire.

Reacting to the firing incident, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Kodagu stated “I was in receipt of the poachers shot dead in the morning (on Saturday). Forest officials have submitted all details of the poaching incident. I have firsthand information on poachers gunned down.” “Officials concerned are gathering details,” said the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, bereaved family members alleged that their family members have been allegedly “murdered’ by forest patrolling personnel and hindered the conduct of post-mortem examinations at the mortuary of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru city.

A bereaved family member wanted to know from forest officials “Why was there a delay in showing the country made guns seized, meat among others to the concerned family members?” The bereaved family members alleged forest personnel shot dead persons who went in search of missing cattle which were left in the forest for grazing.

Bharatiya Janata Party Leader of Opposition in Assembly R. Ashok questioned “Was firing necessary?” He stated “If someone commits a mistake, they should be warned or arrested. But in this incident, they were shot directly in the chest.”

Ashok demanded a judicial inquiry into the gunning down of 3 poachers which is first of its kind in a decade in the State.