Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), Aug 19 (IANS) After the killing of three alleged poachers in a forest encounter near Hanur, gelatin explosives were allegedly used to target anti-poaching camps (APC) in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, triggering concern among forest personnel.
Meanwhile, responding to the development in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that he had received information in this regard and that Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy was overseeing the investigation.
According to officials, the blasts reportedly took place on the same day (Aug 15) that news of the deaths of the three persons came to light.
However, the incident came to light only three days later.
The gelatin explosives were used to blast two anti-poaching camps located at Holemurudatti, Minchinarehalla and Nala Boli in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
The unidentified miscreants allegedly targeted the anti-poaching camps and forest department personnel.
The attacks are suspected to have been carried out using gelatin sticks.
Forest officials reportedly escaped a major tragedy as no personnel were present at the camps at the time of the blasts following the shootout.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of forest department personnel working in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
The blasts, coming soon after the encounter in which three alleged poachers were killed, have heightened tension among forest staff operating in the area.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether the explosions were linked to the recent encounter and identify those responsible for targeting the anti-poaching camps.
The Forest officials said that the one anti-poaching camp has been attacked with gelatin sticks and seven other such camps were allegedly vandalised by miscreants.
Meanwhile, responding to the development, Chief Minister Shivakumar, when asked about the anti-poaching camps being blown up using gelatin sticks and whether there were suspicions of the involvement of poachers from Tamil Nadu, said, “I have also received some information. The Forest Minister is overseeing the investigation. I will not make any comments at this stage. We will provide details once the report is submitted.”
The Chief Minister said, “A thorough investigation into the Hanur shootout case is currently underway, and we will comment once the investigation is completed.”
–IANS
mka/khz