1 week ago
Karnataka Rights Panel Probes Alleged Hanur Poachers’ Encounter Killings
A human rights group is investigating a shooting in a Karnataka forest.
Three men suspected of poaching were killed, and another man was hurt.
The shooting happened early on August 15.
The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission visited the forest to examine what happened.
Forest officials say the men would not surrender and attacked them.
The families of the dead men tell a different story.
They say the men were looking for cattle, not poaching.
The shooting led to a large protest in Hanur town.
The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission inspected Hanur forest on Wednesday.
The inspection concerns the alleged encounter killings of three suspected poachers.
Antony Swamy, Jone Rose Peter and Kumar Sawariyappan were killed on August 15.
Joseph Das was injured in the shootout inside Hanur forest range.
Officials say the men attacked after refusing to surrender; families dispute this account.
- Who
- The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, forest officials, and the four men involved in the shooting; three were killed and one was injured.
- What
- The commission inspected the Hanur forest while investigating the alleged encounter killings and subsequent violence.
- Where
- Inside the Hanur forest range in Chamarajanagar district, with protests occurring in Hanur town.
- When
- The shooting occurred early on August 15; the commission inspected the forest on Wednesday.
- Why
- The commission is investigating the alleged killings and violence that followed the shooting.
Government and Forest Officials’ Account
Victims’ Families’ Account
What happened during the shooting
Government and Forest Officials’ Account
The government defended the forest officials, saying the suspected poachers refused to surrender and attacked them.
Victims’ Families’ Account
The families say the men were searching for cattle and were shot despite not being poachers.
Characterization of the incident
Government and Forest Officials’ Account
Officials’ account presents the deaths as the result of an encounter with suspected poachers.
Victims’ Families’ Account
The families and the inquiry describe the deaths as alleged encounter killings requiring investigation.
Key facts
- Investigating body
- Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC)
- Location
- Hanur forest range, Chamarajanagar district
- Killed
- Antony Swamy, 50; Jone Rose Peter, 42; and Kumar Sawariyappan, 35
- Injured
- Joseph Das, 44
- Date of shooting
- Early on August 15
- Official account
- The government says the suspected poachers refused to surrender and attacked forest officials.
- Families’ account
- The victims’ families say the men were searching for cattle when they were shot.
Sources
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