Forest ranger allegedly nabs 12 tribal youths in suspicion of animal killing

COIMBATORE: On Wednesday, a protest was staged by more than 100 tribals demanding immediate action against forest ranger Kasilingam. It was alleged that in the past two days, 12 tribal youths from Annamalai were taken and given third degree treatment by the forest ranger on illegal custody .

The torso of a three-year-old female leopard was found at Mankarai beat of Pollachi forest range on Thursday. The forest department has formed a special team after the find. VS Paramasivam, the district president of Tamil Nadu Tribal People’s Association, said that the officials suspected the tribal people of being involved in the killing incident and therefore randomly captured youths who had gone out of their settlements either for a bath at a water channel or to grocery shops.

“Instead of arresting the actual criminal, who beheaded the leopard, the officials are torturing the tribal youths,” he said.  “Apart from beating the victims to blue and black, they were also given electric shock constantly at Annamalai forest ranger’s office,” he said, adding that five of the victims, who were given third degree treatment, were admitted at a nearby government hospital. He said that the officials took the signatures of the people on a blank paper.

The youth were taken on Monday morning and released on Tuesday night, allegedly from four tribal settlements that include JJ Nagar, Chengalpattu and Neri Kalpathi. The tribals registered a complaint with the Annamalai police inspector and demanded immediate action against the forest ranger Kasilingam. They left the place after the intervention of officials from district administration.

The Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve Mr. V Ganesan said, “The tribals were called only for enquiry and nobody was detained.”

Severe action will be taken against the officials if the people’s allegations are proven to be true.