TN Assembly Urges High-Level Inquiry Into Shootout Deaths of Three Tamils in Karnataka

The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in Chennai witnessed widespread calls on Tuesday across party lines for a high-level investigation into the fatal shooting of three Tamils by Karnataka forest department personnel.

The victims, identified as P Anthonysamy, John Rose Peter, and Kumar, were killed during a shootout by Karnataka forest personnel in the Hanur forest range in the early hours of August 15.

During a special calling attention motion, opposition members and allies of the ruling party demanded a thorough inquiry into the killings. The DMK sought a judicial inquiry, while other political parties called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident. Lawmakers also appealed to the Tamil Nadu state government to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

Responding to the motion, Minister for Electricity and Law R Nirmalkumar informed the House that the Karnataka government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the shootout. He stated that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had strongly condemned the killings, emphasizing that the state administration would not compromise on the welfare and interests of Tamils and would take prompt action to protect their rights wherever they reside.

Minister for Forest and Climate Change R V Ranjithkumar announced that the state government is contemplating providing financial aid of Rs 10 lakh to each of the three victims' families.

Earlier in the session, DMK legislator P H Manoj Pandian characterized the killings as "fake encounters." He questioned whether the Tamil Nadu government had officially communicated the details of the incident to the National Human Rights Commission in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines, and asked what additional measures the state had taken in response to the incident.