Even as investigations are underway regarding the twin custodial deaths of father and son Jayaraj and Bennicks, a farmer in Tenkasi has died while in the custody of the Forest Department as reported by The Hindu.
Anaikkarai Muthu, a 70-year-old farmer from Vaagaikulam near Kadayam, was arrested by the forest officials on Wednesday. It was alleged that he had installed an electric fence with stolen electricity around his farm, where he had been cultivating vegetables. When in their custody, he had developed chest pain. After this, he was taken to the Primary Health Centre nearby, following which he was rushed to the Government General Hospital in Tenkasi, where he had died.
His relatives had refused to accept his body. They had claimed a compensation of ₹50 lakh from the State Government and employment for a member from his family. They also demanded that the forest officials be booked with murder. Following this, an inquiry was conducted by the Judicial Magistrate of Ambasamudram.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police and Revenue Divisional Officer had held talks with Muthu’s relatives, failing which they had asked them to contact the District Collector. But they denied, saying that they would only meet the collector after their demands had been met. The State Human Rights Commission has now called for a detailed report on the incident from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Chennai, within four weeks.