A 56 -year-old man, who came across a tiger lying dead in this hill district recently, was found hanging on Thursday, 9 February, after allegedly being questioned by forest officials in the matter.
Police said Harikumar was found hanging in a shed near his residence in Anbukuthmala by his neighbours in the morning.
The local residents alleged that he took the extreme step after being harassed by forest officials who summoned him several times for interrogation in connection with the department’s investigation into the tiger death, allegedly after being caught in a trap.
The forest officials rejected the charges, saying they had enquired about the incident only once.
Also Read: Wakeful in Wayanad: Life in the shadow of the tiger
However, the locals alleged that after Harikumar spotted the dead tiger, the forest officials summoned him several times to the Meppadi range office for questioning and that caused him mental trauma.
They also blocked the state highway demanding a probe into the death of Harikumar and action against the forest officials who allegedly harassed him.
The victim’s wife also alleged that a forest officer had called Harikumar on phone on Wednesday night and threatened him.
Forest officials said that they had enquired only once about what Harikumar had seen at Anbukuthimala, where the tiger was found dead. They said the man was never summoned to the office for interrogation.
Also read: Tiger found dead with injuries in a plantation in Wayanad
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