Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Condemns Firing Deaths of Three Tamils

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has issued a strong condemnation following the fatal shooting of three men from Tamil Nadu by Karnataka Forest Department personnel. The incident occurred in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, where Karnataka officials claimed the men were suspected poachers involved in illegal activities. CM Vijay described the incident as a 'massacre' and rejected the explanation provided by the Karnataka authorities as entirely unacceptable. He demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the firing and accountability for the personnel involved.

The shooting took place near the Hanur forest range, sparking immediate protests from local villagers and the families of the deceased. The Karnataka Forest Department maintained that the team opened fire in self-defense during a confrontation with the suspected poachers. However, the lack of immediate forensic evidence and the fatalities have fueled anger across the border. Following the protests, a post-mortem was finally conducted after a brief standoff between the victims' families and the local police administration in Chamarajanagar district.

Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar stated that the government is examining the possibility of providing compensation to the families of the three victims. Despite this, the political temperature remains high between the two neighboring states. CM Vijay has urged the Karnataka government to ensure such 'excessive use of force' does not recur and called for the protection of people living near the state borders. The incident has once again strained relations between Chennai and Bengaluru, with various Tamil outfits demanding legal action against the Karnataka forest guards.