Tamil Nadu Assembly demands CBI probe into Karnataka forest firing of 3 Tamil men
Synopsis
Every party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly — ruling and opposition alike — has condemned the killing of three Tamil men by Karnataka Forest Department personnel on Independence Day. With legislators calling it a possible 'fake encounter' and demanding ₹1 crore per family, the incident has escalated into a full-blown inter-state political crisis, with Karnataka's self-defence claim under fierce scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Three Tamil men — Anthonysamy , John Rose Peter , and Kumar — were shot dead by Karnataka Forest Department personnel on 15 August in Chamarajanagar district .
A fourth man, Mahimai Das , was seriously injured and is being treated at Mysuru Government Hospital .
All parties in the Tamil Nadu Assembly demanded a CBI investigation into the incident.
Karnataka's ₹5 lakh compensation was called inadequate; PMK demanded ₹1 crore per bereaved family.
DMK legislator raised the possibility of a 'fake encounter' and questioned compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy's self-defence claim was rejected by multiple Tamil Nadu legislators.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 18 August united across party lines to condemn the shooting of three Tamil men by Karnataka Forest Department personnel and to demand an independent investigation into the incident. The killings, which occurred on 15 August near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border in Chamarajanagar district, have triggered a sharp political response from Chennai.
What Happened in Chamarajanagar
According to statements made in the Assembly, the three victims — Anthonysamy, John Rose Peter, and Kumar — were shot dead by Karnataka forest personnel after reportedly entering a protected forest area while searching for their cattle. A fourth man, identified as Mahimai Das, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Mysuru Government Hospital.
The Karnataka Forest Department has maintained that the men were poachers who had entered the forest to hunt deer, and that personnel acted in self-defence. This account has been firmly rejected by multiple Tamil Nadu legislators, who allege the victims had no hunting intent.
Key Demands Raised on the Assembly Floor
AIADMK MLA and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami disputed the Forest Department's version of events and alleged that 'the circumstances indicated a larger conspiracy.' He urged the Tamil Nadu government to press for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and called the ₹5 lakh compensation announced by Karnataka 'inadequate.'
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) member Manoj Pandian described the firing as a human rights violation and raised the possibility that it could amount to a 'fake encounter.' He questioned whether Supreme Court guidelines on such incidents had been followed and whether the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had been notified. He called for a murder case to be registered and a transparent judicial inquiry to be ordered.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) MLA Ganesh Kumar rejected Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy's self-defence claim outright and demanded a CBI probe along with compensation of ₹1 crore per bereaved family.
Cross-Party Condemnation
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bhojarajan expressed condolences to the families and called on all parties to set aside political differences and jointly protest the incident. He agreed that Karnataka's compensation offer was insufficient.
Congress Legislature Party leader Tharagai said the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee backed a CBI investigation. She demanded that Karnataka cover the full medical expenses of the injured man Mahimai Das, substantially increase compensation, and provide a government job to one member of each victim's family.
What Happens Next
The interventions in the Assembly reflected a broad consensus that the Tamil Nadu government must formally take up the matter with Karnataka, secure adequate relief for the affected families, and ensure the circumstances of the firing are examined independently. With legislators from the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK, PMK, BJP, and Congress all demanding a CBI inquiry, the political pressure on both state governments is likely to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
And their convergence signals that the Karnataka firing has touched a raw nerve on Tamil identity and border-state grievances. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the procedural question: DMK's Manoj Pandian is right to ask whether Supreme Court guidelines on use of lethal force in forest encounters were followed. Karnataka's self-defence framing, offered almost immediately by Forest Minister Reddy, is the kind of quick official closure that historically precedes accountability gaps. The NHRC notification question is not rhetorical — it has legal consequences. If that process was skipped, the pressure for a CBI or judicial probe becomes not just political but legally grounded.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three Tamil men killed in the Karnataka forest firing?
The three men killed were Anthonysamy , John Rose Peter , and Kumar , according to statements made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. They were reportedly shot by Karnataka Forest Department personnel on 15 August in Chamarajanagar district while allegedly searching for their cattle.
What is the Karnataka Forest Department's version of the incident?
The Karnataka Forest Department, backed by Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, has maintained that the men were poachers who had entered the protected forest to hunt deer and that personnel fired in self-defence. Tamil Nadu legislators across parties have disputed this account.
Why are Tamil Nadu politicians demanding a CBI probe?
Legislators argue that a state-level investigation by Karnataka would lack impartiality given that the accused are Karnataka government personnel. They also allege the circumstances suggest a possible 'fake encounter' and question whether Supreme Court guidelines on lethal force were followed.
What compensation has been announced, and why is it contested?
Karnataka announced ₹5 lakh in compensation for the victims' families. Tamil Nadu legislators from multiple parties have called this inadequate; PMK MLA Ganesh Kumar demanded ₹1 crore per bereaved family, while Congress also called for Karnataka to cover the injured man's full medical expenses and provide a government job to one family member of each victim.
What is the condition of the fourth person injured in the firing?
The fourth man, identified as Mahimai Das, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Mysuru Government Hospital, according to statements made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly citing the victims' families.
