The night-shift forest staff heard three rounds of firing in the early hours, following which they rushed to the spot. They noticed some tribals on a hunting expedition, carrying a dead deer.
The forest staff reportedly fired a few rounds in the direction of the hunters and the latter retaliated.
According to Veeranahosalli Range Forest Officer, Kiran, the poachers could have been injured in the firing. In their enthusiasm to catch the poachers, the night-shift forest staff went in search of the tribal hunters, but had forgotten to wear their bullet-proof vests. When the hunters fired in the direction of the forest staff, a bullet hit the back of Siddaraju, who sustained injuries.
He has been admitted to K R Hospital in Mysore and is under treatment. Another staffer, Basadenvaraju, escaped a bullet fired by the poachers, said Forest Warden Mahesh. Forest guards K S Manju, Ganesh, Shivalingaiah and jeep driver Manju were on the night shift.
Poachers flee
After the firing incident, the poachers fled, leaving behind the deer they had shot.
A police dog squad also visited the scene of the crime.
P Muthusamy Naidu, sub-divisional DySP, Deputy Forest Conservator Vijayranjan Singh, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Belliappa visited the spot. Sub-Inspector Udayaravi, Rural Police, has registered a case.
