Residents of the rather peaceful areas surrounding Lingambudhi Lake woke up this morning to the news of a sandalwood smuggler being shot dead by the Forest Department watchers for cutting a sandalwood tree. The smuggler was one among an 8 to 10-member gang who were cutting a sandalwood tree in the wee hours today. While one smuggler succumbed to bullet injury, the others managed to escape along with sandalwood pieces that they had already cut. The incident occurred between 3.30 am and 5 am at the mini forests beyond Kuvempunagar, Ramakrishnanagar and Lingambudhipalya near the Lingambudhi Lake. According to the Forest officials and Police, the gang had cut the fencing of the Lake and entered the forest with equipment including two battery-powered saws, daggers, tarpaulin bags, ‘longs’ (machete), wood choppers and a couple of chisels. Meanwhile, following reports that sandalwood is being smuggled from the lake surroundings, watchers Manju, Nanjunda and Chikkanna were patrolling the area since yesterday evening. Early this morning they heard cutting and chopping sounds and headed in that direction. Soon they spotted the gang and also noticed that the smugglers had already cut a tree trunk and were chopping it into small pieces. As the watchers neared the spot and flashed their torchlight at the gang, two of them ran towards the watchers menacingly flashing daggers. Sensing danger to their lives, one of the watchers opened fire in the dark with his Pump Shotgun trying to scare them away. Hearing the gunfire, the smugglers panicked and they fled with the tarpaulin bags that were filled with sandalwood pieces, however, the defensive shot had killed one of their accomplices. The watchers gave chase but it was futile but when they came back to the spot where the tree was cut they realised that they had killed one smuggler and immediately alerted their higher officials and the Police. Officials said that the smuggler might be one Shankar and he had succumbed to a bullet wound on his back. Shankar is the native of H.D. Kote and his phone records and call details are being screened to nail the other smugglers. A name “Ravikrishna” has been tattooed on his arm. Following the shootout, entry to the lake has been banned until further orders. This morning, walkers were asked not to take a stroll in the area. Over 20 to 30 Policemen are guarding the area.
Spreading fear of leopards to cut sandalwood
