Hanur Forest Firing: Christian Organisation Demands CBI Probe into Deaths of Three
Stany Pinto approaches Karnataka Human Rights Commission with victims' families
HANUR, KARNATAKA: The Karnataka Christian Organisation has urged the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission to order a CBI investigation into the deaths of three persons in an alleged firing incident involving forest department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary limits of Hanur taluk.
Organisation Founder-President Stany Pinto, accompanied by the families of the deceased, met the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission on Thursday and submitted a petition seeking an independent investigation.
According to the petition, Charles Peter, Sebastian David Kumar and Anthony Swamy of Mariyammanagala were allegedly killed in firing by forest department personnel on the morning of Independence Day.
The incident has reportedly triggered concern among members of the Christian community and residents living in villages bordering the forest.
Conflicting accounts
Pinto said different versions of the incident have appeared in the media, creating confusion over what actually happened.
The petition cites statements from the victims' families and local residents, who claim that the three deceased persons and Mahima Das, who reportedly survived the incident, were farmers who had gone into the forest in search of cattle.
According to the families, the cattle had been taken into the forest for grazing but failed to return home. The men subsequently went into the forest area to search for them.
The petition states that villagers living along the forest boundary commonly enter forest areas to search for their cattle and alleges that forest personnel are aware of this practice.
Questions raised over firing
Pinto has questioned the circumstances in which the alleged firing took place and sought clarification on why the men were fired upon while reportedly searching for their cattle.
He further alleged that statements attributed to forest officials regarding the incident do not appear to be consistent with each other.
Describing the matter as a serious human rights concern, Pinto said the incident has created fear among people living in villages bordering the forest.
Demand for independent investigation
The Karnataka Christian Organisation has therefore appealed to the Human Rights Commission to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and ensure justice for the families of the deceased.
The petition specifically seeks that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The allegations made in the petition have yet to be established through an official investigation. The findings of the competent authorities will be crucial in determining the circumstances and responsibility, if any, for the deaths.
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