MADIKERI: Siddapura police on Wednesday arrested a coffee planter on charges of firing at tents of Diddalli tribals.
It is said that Ammatanda Poonacha (50) from Gudlur near Siddapura had advanced `1000, `200, and `800 to tribals Mani, Chippa and Annappa respectively for estate work. When they did not turn up for work, he visited Diddalli and asked them to return his money on Tuesday. Angered over lack of response from the labourers, Poonacha rode to Diddalli tribals colony in an inebriated state and fired three rounds from his gun.
SP P Rajendra Prasad told Express that police recovered a live cartridge from the crime scene on Tuesday itself.
Following clues given by tribals, police arrested the accused and also recovered three empty cartridges, the gun he used and a bike from his house.
Residents of the camp Paniravara Basava and Ranju have stated that the attack was carried out late at night during pouring rains. Ranju, who is also part of the struggle to get the Diddalli tribals housing sites, said this was an attempt to discourage labourers from continuing their fight. “But the struggle will go on,” they said.
The SP said the accused, who has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days, is said to be mentally unstable.