Three killed in Karnataka forest firing, magisterial inquiry ordered

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has ordered a magisterial inquiry after three alleged poachers died in an exchange of fire with forest personnel in Karnataka's Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary on August 15. Relatives and local residents protested, disputing the forest department's account. An FIR under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered, Deccan Chronicle reports. Mathrubhumi adds that the families claim the men were caught and killed, not engaged in a shootout.

Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said personnel acting on a tip-off intercepted four men carrying two unlicensed country-made pistols and bags of deer meat. The minister stated the men attempted to fire, and the personnel fired in self-defence, killing three. One man fled. Activist Vatal Nagaraj demanded a murder case against the officials, Mathrubhumi reports. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss alleged the victims were Tamils and called for a CBI probe and Rs 1 crore compensation per family, Deccan Chronicle adds.

The magisterial inquiry is under way. Authorities said further action will depend on the post-mortem and inquiry reports. The bodies are at Mysuru's KR Hospital mortuary.