Farmer commits suicide after forest dept officials questions him in tiger's death

KALPETTA: A man who was interrogated by the forest department officials on the death of one of the tigers that terrorized Ponmudikotta for two months was found hanging in a house under construction. Harikumar (56) of Ambukuthi Padiparambu Nalucentu colony had died. The forest department officials had questioned Harikumar the other day.

There was widespread protest in Wayanad over the incident. Locals blocked the road at Sultan Bathery. CPI Sultan Bathery DFO marched to the office.

On February 1, a one-and-a-half-year-old male tiger cub was found dead with a noose around its neck in a private person's farm at Padiparambu. The forest department registered a case under the Wildlife Act against the owner of the land, Palliyalil Muhammad. The filing of a case against Muhammad, who has been bedridden for a year, has led to widespread protests. After this, the forest department started an investigation about thepeople who first saw the tiger's body. The forest department received the information that people including Hari saw the tiger lying dead.

According to the family, Hari was afraid of being implicated in the case. His wife Usha said that Hari was under severe mental stress. On the 5th, three forest officials came to the house. The next day they called on the phone and asked to show the person who set the trap. Usha also said that Meppadi Range Officer Harilal had called Harikumar on the phone and threatened him.

The forest department has denied the allegation. The authorities explained that Hari was not accused or made a witness in the case.

Minister AK Saseendran said that Forest Vigilance Forest Conservator Narendra Babu will investigate the case. “Action will be taken against officials in case of any lapse.The police will investigate Harikumar’s suicide.”, he said.