Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has strongly condemned the killing of three Tamil residents in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, describing it as a "massacre" and demanding a high-level investigation. The incident, which occurred on August 15, involved alleged firing by Karnataka Forest Department personnel, with the department claiming it happened during an anti-poaching operation. Other political parties have also called for inquiries and action against the forest officials. Karnataka has ordered a magistrate-led inquiry, and protests have taken place demanding justice for the deceased.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has strongly condemned the killing of three Tamil residents in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, describing it as a "massacre" and demanding a high-level investigation. The incident, which occurred on August 15, involved alleged firing by Karnataka Forest Department personnel, with the department claiming it happened during an anti-poaching operation. Other political parties have also called for inquiries and action against the forest officials. Karnataka has ordered a magistrate-led inquiry, and protests have taken place demanding justice for the deceased.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has strongly condemned the killing of three Tamil residents in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, describing it as a "massacre" and demanding a high-level investigation. The incident, which occurred on August 15, involved alleged firing by Karnataka Forest Department personnel, with the department claiming it happened during an anti-poaching operation. Other political parties have also called for inquiries and action against the forest officials. Karnataka has ordered a magistrate-led inquiry, and protests have taken place demanding justice for the deceased.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday strongly condemned the killing of three Tamil residents in an alleged firing by Karnataka Forest Department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, calling the incident a “massacre” and demanding a high-level investigation.

“It is heartbreaking that Anthony Sami, John Rose Peter and Kumar, who were Tamils residing in villages in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka, were shot dead by Karnataka Forest Department officials in the early hours of August 15, 2026, in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area. I strongly condemn this massacre,” he said.

The incident took place in the early hours of August 15, when the three men were allegedly killed in an exchange of fire with forest personnel at Maria Mangala Beat near Shagya village. A fourth man, Mahima Das, reportedly escaped and was later taken to hospital with injuries.

According to the Forest Department's account, personnel on duty at Maria Mangala opened fire after the suspected poachers allegedly pointed a gun at them. The Forest Department has maintained that the incident occurred during an anti-poaching operation. 

The bodies were initially taken to the mortuary of Kollegal Government Hospital, where police deployed a security cordon.

Vijay said the explanation provided by the Karnataka Forest Department was unacceptable.

“The Karnataka government must ensure that an impartial investigation is conducted into this brutal incident. A high-level investigation committee should be constituted, and appropriate punishment should be meted out to those responsible,” he said.

Earlier, the DMK and PMK had sought an impartial judicial inquiry into the incident and demanded action against the forest personnel involved.

DMK president M.K. Stalin said strict action was necessary to prevent such incidents in the future and urged the Tamil Nadu government to secure fair compensation and employment for the bereaved families.

“This brutal act, carried out with utter disregard for human life, deserves the strongest condemnation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said a magistrate-led inquiry had been ordered into the Hanur shootout, asserting that the complete facts would emerge only after the probe.

“Several witnesses have been questioned, and items and guns have been seized. The media is broadcasting various stories. Some people have been arrested, and the bodies are being taken for post-mortem,” he said.

Protests were held in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru on Sunday, with protesters demanding justice for the three men. Tension prevailed in Hanur as villagers and family members of the deceased staged a protest in the Datti forest area, expressing anger against Forest Department authorities.

Hanur police have registered an FIR against the forest officials involved in the incident under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to reports.