The deaths of three Tamil cattle grazers in a forest firing incident have sparked protests, while officials investigate conflicting claims over the shooting.
The shooting deaths of three Tamils from Mariyamangala village in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district have triggered protests in Tamil Nadu and intensified scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
The incident occurred after cattle taken for grazing failed to return on August 14. Antonysamy, David Kumar, John Rose and Mahimadass subsequently went into the forest in search of the animals. According to Mahimadass, the lone survivor, forest department personnel arrived while the group was resting on a rock in the early hours of August 15 and opened fire, killing three of them.
The incident led farmers to stage a road blockade in Hanur, demanding action. The bodies were taken to a hospital in Mysuru for post-mortem examinations. Following discussions with officials on August 16, the families accepted compensation, the autopsies were completed and the bodies were handed over to their relatives.
The circumstances of the firing are now the subject of a judicial inquiry. Forest department personnel have maintained that they opened fire in self-defence after allegedly coming under attack from a group of suspected poachers. Investigating officers have also reported recovering country-made firearms and wild game meat from the scene. The conflicting accounts are being examined as part of the investigation.
Following protests and heightened tensions in the area, additional police personnel have been deployed and surveillance has been strengthened. The inquiry is expected to establish what led to the confrontation, whether the use of force was justified and the sequence of events that resulted in the deaths.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader Manickam Tagore, speaking to reporters in Madurai, said the Karnataka government had registered criminal cases against officials in connection with the incident. He also said the Karnataka government had announced financial assistance of ₹15 lakh for each affected family and had taken action against the officials involved.
The investigation will determine responsibility for the deaths and whether the forest personnel acted within the law. With the judicial inquiry underway, the case remains closely watched in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, particularly by the families and local communities seeking clarity over the shooting.
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