Hanur firing row intensifies: Vijay, Stalin demand action against Karnataka forest officials

Chennai: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay has strongly condemned the deaths of three Tamil Nadu residents in an alleged firing by Karnataka Forest Department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area of Chamarajanagar district.

Vijay said the explanation given by the Karnataka Forest Department was unacceptable and demanded a high-level, impartial investigation into the incident. He also urged the Karnataka government to provide assistance to the families of the deceased and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter and Kumar were killed in the Hanur forest area in the early hours of August 15. Another person, Mahima Das, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.

DMK president M.K. Stalin also condemned the incident and demanded registration of a murder case and a transparent investigation. He sought compensation for the families of the three deceased and a government job for one family member each.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss demanded a CBI probe and sought ₹1 crore compensation for each bereaved family. The CPI and CPM have also called for the arrest and dismissal of the forest officials allegedly involved.