Chennai, Aug 18:
The killing of three Tamil Nadu natives by the Karnataka Forest Department triggered a detailed debate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, with the DMK, Congress and Communist parties demanding a thorough investigation, including a CBI probe.
A special calling-attention motion on the August 12 incident was moved by DMK MLA Manoj Pandian. Three Tamil Nadu natives were shot dead in the forest area in Karnataka, while another person, Magimi Das, is undergoing treatment in hospital.
Responding to the motion, Tamil Nadu Minister Nirmal Kumar said Karnataka had assured the Tamil Nadu government that an appropriate investigation would be conducted into the deaths. The bodies of the three victims were handed over to their families after the assurance.
The Karnataka government has provided an interim compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families and has indicated that additional compensation would be considered after the investigation, the Minister said.
Minister Nirmal Kumar also referred to Chief Minister Vijay’s earlier condemnation of the incident, in which he described the killings by the Karnataka Forest Department as a “massacre”. Vijay had also said that Karnataka’s explanation regarding the deaths was unacceptable and that a proper investigation was necessary.
However, the Minister’s remarks that some people had suddenly developed “love for Tamil and Tamils” triggered strong protests from DMK members in the House.
Speaker J.C.T. Prabhakar intervened and said he did not know why the Minister had made such remarks while responding to the calling-attention motion. He clarified that only the Minister’s response to the motion would remain in the Assembly records and ordered the controversial remarks referring to former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to be expunged.
Congress MLA Thamarai Dixeeth, participating in the debate, condemned the shooting and said human lives appeared to have lost their value.
She alleged that Tamils were often treated with contempt whenever such incidents occurred and said the compensation announced by Karnataka was inadequate.
The Congress demanded higher compensation for the families of the three victims and a CBI investigation into the incident. It also sought full financial support from the Karnataka government for Magimi Das, who is undergoing treatment.
The party further demanded government jobs for the families of the three deceased and reiterated that a strong CBI investigation was necessary.
CPI MLA T. Ramachandran said the lives of Tamils should not be decided by bullets. He urged the Tamil Nadu government and Chief Minister Vijay to exert pressure on Karnataka to order a CBI probe.
CPI(M) MLA Latha rejected the claim that the victims had been shot after going into the forest to hunt deer, calling it false.
She demanded additional financial assistance for the victims’ families and said the Tamil Nadu government should also provide compensation.
Latha also appealed to all political parties to set aside differences and unite in protecting the interests of Tamils.
The Assembly debate thus saw opposition parties pressing for a transparent investigation, enhanced compensation and support for the surviving victim, while the controversy over the Minister’s remarks added a political dimension to the discussion.