Irula tribesman found dead in forest in Coimbatore; animal attack suspected

A man hailing from a tribal settlement near Anaikatti was found dead in forest, reportedly after being attacked by a wild animal. The deceased has been identified as S. Palanisamy (68), an Irula tribesman from Kondanur Pudur settlement in 24 Veerapandi village.

Forest Department officials said Palanisamy went to a forest fringe near Kondanur Pudur to graze his goats on Thursday evening.

His family and others launched a search when Palanisamy did not return home as usual in the evening. They found him dead inside a reserve forest area in Thadagam central beat of Coimbatore forest range. There were abrasions on his body.

The police reached the spot after being alerted by the locals and shifted the body to Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital, where the post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday.

Though animal attack is believed to be the reason for the tribesman’s death, the actual cause of death would be known when the post-mortem report arrives, said V. Thirumurugan, Forest Range Officer, Coimbatore range.