Ambalavayal: The forest department has booked an estate owner based on the postmortem report of the tiger that was found dead in his estate. The postmortem report said that the noose found on the tiger’s neck killed the tiger.
Palliyalil Muhammed, the estate owner, has been booked on anti-poaching charges under the Wild Life (Protection) Act. The department suspects it was a premeditated incident.
The move irked the natives. The tiger had killed domestic animals and the natives had staged a protest to capture the big cat. The carcass was found while searching for the animal a couple of days ago.
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Natives say Muhammed is ailing from age-related health issues and the case against him is a challenge to farmers in the area.
Tiger is a schedule one animal. Forest department says they cannot let the incident slide without pursuing legal action.
Meanwhile, Muhammed filed a complaint with the local police to find the culprits who trespassed onto his property and installed a noose.
At least 12 domestic animals were killed in tiger attacks in the past two months in the locality. A 10-year-old tigress was caught by the department recently. Locals say there is one more tiger on the prowl.
Meanwhile, the CPI district secretary said the party would provide legal aid to Muhammed.