Karnataka Forest Officers Defend Firing That Killed 3 Tamil Men

The Karnataka State Range Forest Officers' Association has defended the forest personnel involved in the August 15 firing in Chamarajanagar district in which three suspected poachers were killed, saying the officials had opened fire only in self-defence and to protect wildlife. 

The statement comes amid continuing controversy over the incident in the Hanur Wildlife Range of the Cauvery Wildlife Division, with the deaths of the Tamil-origin men triggering outrage, especially in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had



condemned the killings and sought an investigation, while political leaders in the state have demanded a probe into the incident. The association said the firing occurred inside a reserve forest when forest personnel were attempting to trace and apprehend suspected wildlife poachers. 

"Forest department officers and staff work 24x7 in shifts to protect forests and wildlife. In the said operation, they opened fire only in self-defence and in the interest of protecting forests and wildlife, and had no other intention," it said, adding that the deaths were regrettable.