In connection with the case of spotted deer hunting in the Alankulam forest area of Tenkasi district, authorities are actively searching for TMS Mukesh, a youth wing organizer from the DMK’s northern district. The operation is being carried out jointly by the forest department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
According to reports, Mukesh is believed to be the primary suspect in organizing the illegal hunt. He allegedly gathered hunters from multiple districts to kill spotted deer in the western region of the Uthumalai area, which falls within the Alankulam forest reserve.
In a related development, District Forest Officer Akhil Thambi has been reassigned to Ramanathapuram. Authorities have stated that only after Mukesh’s arrest will they be able to determine the exact number of deer that were killed, cooked, and to identify all others involved in the case.
The forest department, under the leadership of Alankulam Forest Officer T. Munirathnam, has already detained three individuals: C. Pon Anand (46) and T. Rajalingam (40) from Kanyakumari district, and E. Ranjith Singh Raja (40) from Thoothukudi district. Two vehicles used in the operation were also confiscated. The arrested individuals admitted that Mukesh had brought them to Uthumalai for the illegal hunt.
Additionally, investigators are examining whether Mukesh has a history of poaching. They are also analyzing images from his social media, where he is seen posing with various firearms, to determine if any of those weapons were used in the crime.
Sources revealed that Mukesh had reportedly promised venison to a group of politically connected individuals who were visiting Courtallam. To fulfill this, he organized a hunting trip and arranged for hunters to kill several spotted deer. The group, who were allegedly consuming alcohol during the outing, attempted to transport the deer meat to Courtallam using three separate vehicles.
Uthumalai police, upon noticing suspicious activity, tried to pursue the convoy but eventually lost track of the vehicles. In the early hours of the morning, the hunters, unfamiliar with the local roads were involved in a road accident. Later, acting on an informant’s tip, the police returned to the scene, apprehended the three suspects, and handed them over to the forest department. During the operation, authorities seized weapons including firearms and knives, a deer carcass, torchlights, and mobile phones.
(With inputs from The New Indian Express)
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