A recent incident at the Sharavati lion-tailed macaque wildlife sanctuary has sparked tension between farmers and forest officials.
Four residents of Brahmana Keppige village were arrested on May 31 for allegedly entering the sanctuary with country-made firearms and hunting equipment. The forest officials claim they intercepted the group around midnight, while the villagers assert they were on their way to fish in the backwaters.
The arrested individuals, Kiruvasi, Manjunath, Ramu, and Adi, were taken into judicial custody and later granted bail. However, they claim to have been physically assaulted by forest staff, resulting in serious health issues, including acute chest discomfort reported by Manjunath. The villagers have filed complaints with the Sagar rural police station, supported by medical documentation.
Social activists and farming community leaders have protested the incident, demanding action against the forest staff involved. GT Sathyanarayana, an activist, acknowledges the legitimacy of the arrest but condemns the alleged violence and demands staff suspension.
In contrast, Deputy Conservator of Forest Prasanna Krishna Patgar supports the arrest and denies allegations of mistreatment. He points out that the accused did not mention any mistreatment during their court appearance and claims they have submitted evidence to pursue bail cancellation.
Environmentalist Joseph Hoover has criticized the politicization of the issue, stating that it undermines forest staff morale. The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting differing accounts of the incident.
