Bengaluru: The JDS has demanded a high-level investigation led by a sitting High Court judge into the deaths of three farmers in an alleged firing by Forest Department personnel in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district.
The party accused the state government of administrative failure and alleged that the incident reflected the Forest Department’s “arrogance”. In a social media post, JDS claimed that the deceased were innocent farmers who had gone into the forest in search of cattle.
The party alleged that the incident could be a “fake encounter” and demanded that an FIR be registered against forest officials if evidence was found to have been fabricated or destroyed. It also sought the arrest of officials found responsible.
JDS questioned the Forest Department’s claim that personnel opened fire in self-defence. The party asked why no forest personnel were injured if they had come under fire.
It also questioned the alleged shifting of the bodies without following due legal procedures and called for the circumstances surrounding the deaths to be thoroughly examined.
JDS has demanded ₹25 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and a government job for one member of each family.
The party said forest and wildlife protection was necessary but maintained that the lives and livelihoods of local residents and farmers dependent on forest resources must also be protected.