Ramalinga Reddy
| Photo Credit: File Photo
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday said that the magisterial probe, which is investigating the shooting incident at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanur, Chamarajanagar district, which led to the death of three suspected poachers, will be submitted on August 22.“Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ordered a thorough investigation into the Hanur shootout case. He has already ordered a magisterial inquiry. The report is expected to be submitted on August 22. We will examine the report and take the necessary action,” Mr. Reddy said. He added that action would be taken if any lapses are found.He also said that after the alleged exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel in the early hours of August 15, villagers ransacked and set ablaze eight anti-poaching camps and also damaged vehicles, including one four-wheeler and four two-wheelers.He said that a police complaint has been filed for damaging Forest Department property, and that action would be taken against those responsible for these incidents.Gelatin sticks“Investigation is on to probe if gelatin sticks were used to blow up the camps,” the Minister said.Three suspected poachers were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with Forest Department personnel in the Chikkallur Reserved Forest area of the Cauvery Wildlife Division on August 15.The deceased were identified as Antony Swamy, 50, of Mari Mangala village; John Rose Peter, 42, of Jagannatha Doddi village; and Kumar, 33, of Laasa Doddi village. Another suspected poacher, Mahimadan, 45, of Mari Mangala village, had escaped from the spot and was later found admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru.Not linguistic issueIn response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s condemnation of the killing of the three alleged poachers, he said, ”Whether they are of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi or English origin, for us they are all one and the same. If they (poachers) are innocent, they will get justice; however, if they had gone for poaching and killed wildlife, action will be taken as per the law against those found guilty.” Published - August 20, 2026 09:06 pm IST
