Magisterial probe ordered into Hanur shootout, compensation assured

The Chamarajanagar district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the shooting deaths of three alleged poachers in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag appointed Kollegal Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Meena as inquiry officer, directing him to submit a report within seven days. The probe will examine the circumstances of the firing, allegations from victims' families, and the attack on forest offices.

Villagers and relatives of the deceased withdrew their protest on Sunday after Hanur MLA M R Manjunath assured Rs 5 lakh in government compensation and Rs 10 lakh from his personal capacity for each family. Manjunath said he would also discuss additional compensation and a government job with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The three killed were identified as Antony Swamy, Kumar, and Peter, all from Hanur taluk.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay condemned the killings as 'brutal' and called for a high-level probe, saying the forest department's explanation was 'not acceptable'. DMK president MK Stalin also condemned the incident. Karnataka authorities have said the inquiry will determine if the men opened fire first and whether officials acted in self-defence.