TIRUCHY: Tension prevailed near Manapparai on Tuesday after villagers intercepted a Forest Department vehicle and staged a protest demanding the release of a youth who was detained on suspicion of poaching in the reserve forest near Pannankombu village. The road blockade affected vehicle movement on the Manapparai-Thuvarankurichi main road for nearly two hours. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers, and senior officials held negotiations with the protesters.
Police sources said residents of villages such as Poigaipatti and Pannankombu traditionally venture into the nearby reserve forest for three days during 'Maha Sivaratri' as part of a ritual. However, in recent years, the Forest Department has warned them that such activities violate provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, officials said. Despite the prohibition, a group of villagers allegedly attempted to enter the forest in the wee hours on Monday.
Forest personnel on patrol reportedly turned them back after issuing warnings. Later, another group tried to enter the forest from Pannankombu, following which forest staff detained one individual for questioning and attempted to take him to the forest office. On receiving information, villagers gathered at the spot, stopped the forest vehicle, and laid siege to the vehicle in which two forest personnel and the detained youth were there.
A police team led by Kavya, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai, along with inspectors from nearby police stations, rushed there and held talks. Following the discussions, the forest department let him off and the crowd dispersed.