Bengaluru, August 24: The President of Karnataka BJP and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra raised serious concerns on Monday regarding the shooting incident in the Hanur forest of Chamarajanagar district. The incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of three alleged poachers.
Vijayendra accused the state government of attempting to conceal the truth and called for the resignation of Forest and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy, along with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Vijayendra stated that the BJP has already formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. He mentioned that the committee visited the site and gathered information, leading to several serious questions and doubts.
He questioned why the post-mortem reports of the deceased have not been made public. He noted that the bodies were hastily sent for autopsy, yet the reports remain undisclosed. The government should clarify why it is withholding this information.
Displaying photographs from the incident, Vijayendra alleged that it appears the deceased were shot from very close range, with the gun reportedly held near their shoulders. He also raised concerns about marks on the back of their necks, suggesting they indicate close-range gunfire.
According to experts, this does not seem to be a case of shots fired from a distance. It is possible that the shooting occurred at close range. Reports indicate that the doctors conducting the post-mortem have also mentioned this aspect. If so, why is the government not releasing the report?
He expressed skepticism about whether this incident was a routine encounter or if there were other motives involved. Vijayendra claimed that the deceased were not habitual offenders or involved in ongoing criminal activities.
He also sought clarification regarding the whereabouts of a person named Mahima Das, who reportedly entered the forest. Mahima Das could be a key witness, and there are suspicions that the forest department and police are trying to keep him away from the public. The government should disclose his location.
Vijayendra referenced statements from local MP Sunil Bose, who initially indicated that forest department officials were at fault. He also accused District In-Charge Minister Puttaranga Shetty of initially suggesting a mistake had occurred, only to later change his statement in the assembly.
He questioned why it was necessary to first acknowledge a mistake and then alter the statement in the assembly. Such developments have raised suspicions.
He demanded an investigation into irregularities within the forest department and questioned whether the targeted individuals were aware of the situation. Could this be the reason they were shot? These aspects also need to be investigated.
Vijayendra alleged that public discussions have included claims of “state-sponsored murder” and insisted that the government must respond to these serious allegations. He called for the immediate resignation of the forest minister, questioning the department’s role in the incident.
He asserted that if the investigation remains under the influence of state-controlled departments, a fair inquiry would not be possible. He demanded, “Therefore, this case should be handed over to the CBI.”
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