Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Vijay Condemns Killing of Three Tamil Men in Karnataka
On August 15, 2026, three men were shot and killed in a wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, a state in India.
The men were Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter, and Kumar, who lived in villages in the Hanur area of Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district.
Officials from the Karnataka Forest Department are reported to have done the shooting.
Vijay, the Chief Minister of the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, was very upset about what happened.
He called the forest department's explanation 'unacceptable' and asked for a careful investigation.
He also said the Karnataka government should help the victims' families.
Vijay shared his message on the social media platform X. Some people in Karnataka protested because they wanted justice for the three men.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu also questioned whether the men were really poachers, as the forest department said.
People are waiting to learn more about why this happened.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay condemned the shooting of three Tamil men in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district as a 'massacre'.
The victims were identified as Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter, and Kumar, residents of villages in Hanur taluk.
They were shot dead by Karnataka Forest Department officials in the early hours of August 15, 2026, in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area.
Vijay called the forest department's explanation 'unacceptable' and demanded a high-level investigation and punishment for those responsible.
Protests erupted in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru, while Tamil Nadu parties DMK and PMK questioned the forest department's claim that the victims were poachers.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, who condemned the killings; victims Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter, and Kumar; Karnataka Forest Department officials; protesters in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru; and Tamil Nadu parties DMK and PMK.
- What
- Three Tamil men were shot dead by Karnataka Forest Department officials in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, prompting condemnation, demands for a high-level investigation, and protests.
- When
- Early hours of August 15, 2026; protests were reported on the following Sunday.
- Where
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka; protests in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, and the Datti forest area in Hanur.
- Why
- Vijay called the forest department's explanation 'unacceptable' and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation and assistance for the victims' families; protesters demanded justice and accountability.
Critics and protesters
Karnataka Forest Department
Poaching claim
Critics and protesters
DMK, PMK, and protesters questioned the forest department's claim that the victims were poachers.
Karnataka Forest Department
The Karnataka Forest Department described the victims as suspected poachers killed in an alleged exchange of fire with its personnel.
Response to the killings
Critics and protesters
Vijay condemned the killings as a 'massacre', called the explanation 'unacceptable', and demanded a high-level investigation and punishment for those responsible.
Karnataka Forest Department
The forest department has offered an explanation of the incident, which Vijay rejected as unacceptable.
- Victims
- Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter, and Kumar
- Incident date
- Early hours of August 15, 2026
- Location
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
- Alleged shooters
- Karnataka Forest Department officials
- Victims' residence
- Villages in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district
- Chief Minister's response
- Condemned the killings as a 'massacre'; demanded a high-level investigation
- Protests
- Reported in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru; road to Male Mahadeshwara Betta blocked
- Parties questioning poacher claim
- DMK and PMK
