Bodies of Hanur shootout victims laid to rest after mass prayer in respective villages

CHAMARAJANAGAR: The last rites of the three men who were killed in a shootout with the Forest department in the Cauvery wildlife sanctuary were conducted on Monday under leadership of church priests. The funeral of David Kumar was held in Thomiyarpalya while the last rites of Peter and Antonysamy were conducted in Mari Mangala which saw the participation of hundreds of people.

Earlier, the bodies arrived at Thomiyarpalya Church in a procession with hundreds of people accompanying them. The final rites held at the church under leadership of Father K Charles Joseph. A Holy Mass and collective prayers were held at the church in the afternoon as per Christian traditions. The bodies reached native villages late on Sunday night.

Following MLA Manjunath’s assurance that the demands will be met, the villagers called off their protest on Sunday and agreed to conduct the funeral of the deceased. The MLA distributed Rs 15 lakh compensation each to families of the three deceseased which included Rs 5 lakh from government and Rs 8 lakh from his side. Minister Puttaranga Shetty also chipped in with Rs 2 lakh each as personal compensation.

“No amount of compensation is enough for the famillies. Minister Puttaranga Shetty gave Rs 2 lakh each and Rs 5 lakh compensation was given by government. I have personally given Rs 8 lakh each as compensation. As promised, Rs 15 lakh compensation given to each family of the deceased. Preliminary investigation report of the case will be received and If there was any wrongdoing, action will be taken against those responsible. I will hold a meeting to ensure such incidents do not happen in future” Manjunath said.

Hanur constituency is surrounded by forest. In that background, the MLA said he will try to get relaxation in Forest Act.