Man electrocuted on illegal electrical fence near Arakkonam; farmer held

A 30-year-old tribal man, who belongs to Narikuravar community, was electrocuted after he stepped on to an illegal live electric fence erected to prevent wild boars from entering the farmland in Uriyampakkam village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet on Wednesday.

In this connection, the police said farmer and landowner S. Chandrappan, 48, has been arrested. The deceased tribal was identified as G. Venkatesan, a tribal from Thanigaipolur village near Arakkonam town.

Initial inquiry revealed that Venketasan was living with his parents and relatives in Narikuravar colony in the village for many years. He was married a month ago. Police said along with two boys in the village, Venkatesan reportedly ventured into reserve forests through a farmland, owned by Chandrappan, in the neighbouring Uriyampakkam village to hunt animals like rabbits and spotted deer.

Police said that as the trio went through the farmland, Venketasan accidentally stepped onto the illegal electrical fencing. He was electrocuted. Two boys rushed to their house and told their parents, who informed Arakkonam Taluk police about the incident.

The body was sent to Government Taluk Hospital in Arakkonam. A case was registered. Investigations revealed that the farmer Chandrappan had cultivated paddy in his farmland.

Police said that Chandrappan had reportedly erected illegal electrical fencing around the farmland to prevent wild animals from damaging crops during night.

Police arrested farmer Chandrappan and lodged him at the sub-jail in Arakkonam. A probe is under way.