Kumily: Police have arrested two forest guards in connection with the death of a forest watcher on a private plantation. He was shot by Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials inside the forest. Forester Thirumurugan and Guard Benny, alias Georgekutty, have been arrested in the case of shooting Eswaran (52), a resident of KK Patti.

Eswaran was killed in a gunfire by the forest department in the Vannathiparai forest that comes under Srivilliputhur-Meghamala Tiger Sanctuary on October 28. The forest guards told the police that they were attacked at night during patrolling and resorted to firing in self-defense.

But Eswaran’s relatives filed a petition in the Madurai bench stating that the Forest Department officials shot him dead following an earlier feud. They also filed a petition in the high court stating their distrust towards police and the investigation. The forest officers were arrested on the basis of an investigation conducted by the Theni District Superintendent of Police.