Hanur Shooting Case Sparks Uproar In Legislative Council

The Hanur shooting case triggered a heated confrontation in the Karnataka Legislative Council, with opposition members demanding a judicial inquiry into the deaths of three suspected hunters in a forest area.

The issue dominated proceedings on the third day of the monsoon session after opposition members accused the government of failing to provide a clear explanation for the shooting. They demanded an immediate discussion and sought a response from Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

The opposition also called for compensation of Rs 50 lakh each for the families of the three deceased men. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy argued that a judicial inquiry was necessary to establish what actually happened.

The disruption began soon after the session opened, as opposition members raised slogans and pressed for the matter to be taken up. Chairman Salim Ahmed eventually adjourned the proceedings for a short period as the protests continued.

When the House met again in the afternoon, Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the forest personnel involved in the incident. He said the shooting was not deliberate and that the officials opened fire while acting in self defence.

The families of the deceased, however, have maintained that the men had entered the forest while searching for missing cattle. Responding to that claim, Reddy questioned why the men allegedly had country made firearms, ammunition, explosives and cooking materials with them if they had gone only to look for livestock.

The opposition questioned several aspects of the government’s explanation. Congress MLC Shivakumar alleged that the Forest Department had failed for years to effectively tackle illegal weapons and had not strengthened anti poaching camps or installed enough surveillance cameras.

MLC D S Arun also challenged the detailed written response presented by the forest minister. He pointed out that it did not specify which forest officer had ordered the firing. He also questioned why modern technology could not be deployed if staff shortages were preventing the department from maintaining adequate manpower.

Arun suggested using tools such as body cameras and geo fencing to improve surveillance and protect forest areas. He noted that similar technology is already being used by traffic police.

The case of suspected hunter Mahimadas, who was reportedly treated at a local hospital before allegedly escaping, also came up during the discussion. BJP MLC Ravi Kumar questioned how the man could have spoken to district in charge minister C P Puttarangashetty despite reportedly remaining untraceable.

Ravi Kumar asked whether Mahimadas had genuinely escaped from the hospital or whether he had been allowed to leave.

The opposition remained dissatisfied with the government’s decision to order a magisterial inquiry. Narayanaswamy argued that such an investigation could effectively give forest officials a clean chit and insisted that the matter should instead be examined through a judicial inquiry.

The dispute eventually led to another confrontation between treasury and opposition members. With tensions showing no sign of easing, Chairman Salim Ahmed adjourned the Legislative Council proceedings until Tuesday.