CHAMARAJANAGAR — Three men died after an exchange of fire with forest department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. The incident has led to tension in nearby Hanur town, where some residents damaged a forest office and accused officials of killing men who were merely searching for missing cattle.
What officials say
Forest department sources said an anti‑poaching team on duty encountered four armed men near the sanctuary around 12.30 am. The team asked the group to surrender, the sources said, and an altercation followed. According to the forest personnel, the men fired at the team, which returned fire. Two of the men died at the scene; a third succumbed while being taken to K.R. Hospital, Mysuru. The fourth person fled, the officials added.
Forest officers reported recovering wild animal meat at the site and alleged the group had a history of involvement in poaching. Chamarajanagar police confirmed that wild animal meat was found where the encounter took place, according to official accounts.
Villagers dispute official account
The local response was volatile. Hanur residents attacked a forest office, damaging furniture and a motorcycle, and demanded answers. Villagers said the three men — identified in post‑mortem and preliminary inquiries as Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar — had entered the forest searching for missing cattle and were carrying guns only for protection against wild animals.
"They were searching for missing cattle; they carried guns to protect themselves from wild animals," villagers said.
Those accounts directly contradict the forest department’s allegation that the men were engaged in poaching and were found dividing wild animal meat.
Immediate aftermath and official response
Chamarajanagar police and forest officials have cordoned off the scene and are conducting investigations. The identity of the person who escaped is yet to be confirmed publicly, and police said further probe would determine the sequence of events that led to the exchange of fire.
- Time of incident: around 12.30 am on Saturday.
- Location: Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, Chamarajanagar district (near Hanur).
- Fatalities: three men — named as Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar.
- Injuries/escape: one person reportedly escaped; two died on the spot and one died en route to K.R. Hospital, Mysuru.
Context and implications
The incident highlights long‑standing tensions in fringe communities adjoining protected areas, where livelihoods, cattle grazing and human–wildlife conflict intersect with anti‑poaching enforcement. Encounters between forest personnel and suspected poachers have in the past led to allegations of excessive force and demands for transparent investigations.
Authorities now face the dual task of investigating the shooting thoroughly and restoring calm in Hanur, where forest infrastructure suffered damage during the protests. The police and forest department are likely to register FIRs and carry out forensic and ballistic examinations as part of the probe, officials said.
Next steps
Police confirmed recovery of wild animal meat from the site and said post‑mortem reports and witness statements would be used to establish whether the group was engaged in poaching or had entered the forest for other reasons. The status of the escaped person and whether any arrests will follow remain under investigation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| District | Chamarajanagar |
| Sanctuary | Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Time of encounter | About 12.30 am (Saturday) |
| Fatalities | Three — Anthony Swamy, Peter, Kumar |
| Hospital | K.R. Hospital, Mysuru (one succumbed en route) |
Investigations are ongoing and authorities have appealed for calm while the matter is examined. The case underscores the need for clear protocols in anti‑poaching operations and better engagement with local communities that live on the fringes of protected areas.
