Ramanattukara (Kozhikode): Four men have been arrested by the Farook Police for allegedly poisoning a tributary of the Chaliyar river to catch fish along the border of Kerala's Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

The accused have been identified as Murshid (31), K.P. Mohammed Anees (33), K. Hamsa (39) and Abdul Jaleel (47), all residents of Malappuram.

According to local residents, the group had allegedly been carrying out the illegal practice for several years. They are suspected of mixing highly toxic chemicals into the Chethupalam stream, a tributary of the Chaliyar river.

The contaminated water would reportedly flow several kilometres downstream, leaving fish unconscious. The accused would then install fishing nets near the Muttiyara canal and collect the stunned fish in large quantities.

Residents alleged that the practice led to the death of thousands of fish every year in the Pullippuzha stretch.

Locals, aware of the recurring incidents, had reportedly kept watch during the new moon days in July over the past several years in an effort to catch those responsible. However, the suspects had managed to evade them each time.

Although CCTV cameras in the area had previously captured the vehicle allegedly used by the group, neither its registration number nor the identities of those involved could be established.

Coordinated search leads to arrests

The breakthrough came early on Tuesday when local residents organised a coordinated vigil and spotted the group near the Muttiyara canal.

On noticing the residents, three of the accused allegedly jumped into the river and swam towards Chelembra in an attempt to escape. An autorickshaw allegedly used by the group, along with deadly weapons, was found abandoned near Muttiyara.

Residents immediately launched a search of the area, while the police reached the spot after being alerted.

Meanwhile, another alleged accomplice arrived in a separate autorickshaw, reportedly to assist the three men who had fled through the river. Residents intercepted and detained him near the Chelembra Silk Bridge before handing him over to the police.

During questioning at the police station, officers obtained information about the three men who had escaped by swimming. The leads helped police identify and subsequently arrest all three.