<p> A villager was injured in the exchange of fire between smugglers and officials of Forest Department in Veeranahosahalli in Nagarhole National Park on Sunday. <br /><br />The injured Shivanna is undergoing treatment in Hunsur Government Hospital.<br />Acting on an information that a group of smugglers had entered forests in Range Forest Officer Rajappa and his men were waiting at a vantage point. On seeing a group of smugglers, the forest officials asked them to stop.<br /> <br />However, the smugglers opened fire at the officials, which provoked the officials to retaliate, said ACF Prasannakumar. Shivanna was caught in the cross fire. <br /><br />Shivanna charged that forest officials fired at him while he was grazing cattle on the tank bund. “Although, I did not enter the forest area, the department is blaming me. I did not have anything to do with the smugglers”, he added.<br /><br />Condemning the incident, villagers of Mudaganur and surrounding areas staged a demonstration at Veeranahosahalli gate.</p>
<p> A villager was injured in the exchange of fire between smugglers and officials of Forest Department in Veeranahosahalli in Nagarhole National Park on Sunday. <br /><br />The injured Shivanna is undergoing treatment in Hunsur Government Hospital.<br />Acting on an information that a group of smugglers had entered forests in Range Forest Officer Rajappa and his men were waiting at a vantage point. On seeing a group of smugglers, the forest officials asked them to stop.<br /> <br />However, the smugglers opened fire at the officials, which provoked the officials to retaliate, said ACF Prasannakumar. Shivanna was caught in the cross fire. <br /><br />Shivanna charged that forest officials fired at him while he was grazing cattle on the tank bund. “Although, I did not enter the forest area, the department is blaming me. I did not have anything to do with the smugglers”, he added.<br /><br />Condemning the incident, villagers of Mudaganur and surrounding areas staged a demonstration at Veeranahosahalli gate.</p>
