Chamarajanagar: Protests were held in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru on Sunday seeking justice for three men who were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel on August 15.

Tension prevailed in Hanur in Chamarajanagar district as villagers and family members of the three deceased men staged a protest in the Datti forest area, expressing anger against Forest Department authorities.

The protesters blocked the road to Male Mahadeshwara Betta and demanded action against the forest personnel involved in the shooting.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK and PMK, claimed that the three victims were Tamils and questioned the officials’ claim that they were poachers.

The protesters demanded that the forest personnel who opened fire be brought to the spot and questioned. TV visuals showed pushing and jostling between protesters and police amid heavy security arrangements.

The villagers questioned the authority of the forest personnel to shoot the three men, arguing that even if they had entered the forest for hunting, they should not have been killed.

“They should have shot them in the hand or leg, but instead, they shot them in the neck and killed all three. Bring the personnel who opened fire to the spot and take action against them,” the protesters said.

The families demanded an immediate announcement of compensation and the arrest of officials involved in the shooting.

The protest was later withdrawn after the local MLA assured the families that compensation would be provided, a senior police officer said. The situation is now under control, he added.

Hanur Police have registered an FIR against forest officials involved in the incident under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with punishment for murder, after a formal complaint was lodged by the wife of one of the deceased, officials said.

The protesters initially refused to sign documents related to the post-mortem examinations but later gave their consent. The bodies are currently at the KR Hospital mortuary in Mysuru.

Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baldandi told PTI that the families had consented to the post-mortem examinations and that the autopsies of two bodies had been completed at the KR Hospital.

Protests were held in Mysuru, where police were seen trying to disperse demonstrators to de-escalate the situation. The situation was later brought under control, officials said.

Assistant Commissioner, Kollegala Sub-Division, Dinesh Kumar Meena, told reporters that the Deputy Commissioner had ordered an inquiry into the incident to be conducted by an Executive Magistrate.

“The inquiry is currently underway, and once the results are received, I will submit the report to the Deputy Commissioner,” he said.

He said the spot inspection had been completed, and officials were awaiting the post-mortem and inquiry reports, on the basis of which further action would be taken.

“We have to wait for all the reports. After that, the inquiry will be completed. Without the reports, it won’t be a fair inquiry. So, let’s wait for the reports,” Meena said.

He declined to comment further, saying the inquiry was still underway. “Let the inquiry proceed fairly and properly…. Let the fair inquiry take place. After that, I will submit a report,” he added.

Speaking to reporters in Kodagu, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reiterated that he had ordered a magistrate’s probe and assured that the government would provide compensation.

“We cannot disclose every detail to everyone. I received information about the facts of the matter only this morning. I have also been briefed about all the documents. Forest Department officials came and gave me complete first-hand information,” he said.

According to Shivakumar, Forest Department personnel had seized firearms as well as two bags containing meat, including the meat of wild animals.

“One person has escaped, according to our officers. More information will come in, and officials are still collecting details,” he said.

The CM said the officials would place before the inquiry information on the circumstances surrounding the firing, including whether the alleged offenders had fired at the forest personnel in self-defence and whether they had themselves opened fire.

On compensation, Shivakumar said he had received requests from Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister Puttaranga Shetty and local MLA Manjunath.

“I have asked them to submit a report on what compensation can be provided and how much can be given. I will certainly provide some compensation,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka demanded that Shivakumar order a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts of the incident.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Ashoka said the chief minister had constituted an inquiry committee headed by an Assistant Commissioner because of allegations against the government.

“If officials investigate officials, it is certain that the inquiry will go astray. So far, all the inquiries conducted have gone in favour of officials. Only a judicial inquiry can bring out the truth,” he said.

He demanded that those involved in the incident be relieved of their duties until the inquiry was completed and questioned whether the firing was necessary.

Ashoka claimed that although three people had been killed in the incident soon after Ramalinga Reddy became Forest Minister, he had not visited the spot.

“He should have held a meeting with forest personnel and listened to those protesting against the encounter. It is not known why he has not visited the spot,” he alleged.

Ashoka claimed that the Forest Department had not disclosed what firearms the alleged poachers possessed or clarified whether they were carrying meat. He said the truth would not emerge if the department itself conducted the inquiry.

Ashoka urged Reddy to perform his duties as minister, visit the spot immediately and present the facts before the people.

The fatal incident occurred early on Saturday in the dense forest area under the Shagya range of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, where forest personnel, acting on information about suspected poaching activity, encountered four men.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu political parties–DMK and PMK, claimed that the deceased were Tamils and slammed their killing. The parties demanded probe into the matter and compensation to victims’ families.