Human rights groups to probe shooting of three persons in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

A network of human rights organisations will conduct a fact-finding mission into the fatal shooting of three persons in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district that took place in the early hours of August 20.

The two-day high-level fact-finding mission, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, October 26 and 27, will be jointly led by former Solapur Commissioner Harish Mangalal Baijal, IPS, and retired Karnataka Forest Service officer Raju, a former IFS officer. Representatives of several human rights organisations will be part of the mission.

In a press statement, People’s Watch executive director Henri Tiphagne said three farmers were killed, and another person was injured in the shooting involving Karnataka Forest Department personnel.

Identifying the deceased as Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter and Kumar, alias Savariyappan, the statement said the fourth person, Mahimai Das, was reportedly injured and subsequently taken to a hospital.

The Forest Department has reportedly maintained that the four men had illegally entered the forest to hunt wildlife and were carrying weapons. According to the department’s account, the men had attempted to fire at forest personnel, who returned fire in self-defence.

However, family members of the deceased and others associated with them have disputed this account. They maintained that the men were farmers who entered the forest in connection with their livestock, not to hunt wildlife, the statement said.

The incident, therefore, should not be viewed merely as a confrontation between forest personnel and alleged hunters, the statement said. It must also be examined from a human rights perspective, including whether the use of force by State officials that resulted in the loss of human lives was lawful, necessary and proportionate. The statement also flagged concerns that crucial facts surrounding the alleged encounter had yet to emerge.

The fact-finding mission would comprise human rights defenders from various States, with expertise in different fields. The team plans to meet the affected families, eyewitnesses, persons allegedly involved in the incident, government officials and others who may have relevant information.

It would also visit the site of the incident, record statements, collect and examine documents, and establish the facts to the extent possible, the statement said.

The findings would be compiled into a report for publication. The participating organisations would also pursue free legal assistance and appropriate follow-up measures to help the affected persons seek justice, legal remedies and protection, it added.

The joint fact-finding mission is being undertaken by the People’s Watch; Naam Tamilar Human Rights Wing; Human Rights Defenders Alert India; Ashirvad, Karnataka; the People’s Union for Civil Liberties; and Joint Action Against Custodial Torture.